Perimeter Word Problems Worksheet

Math Worksheet · Grades 3–5

Perimeter Word Problems Worksheet

A 3-page perimeter-word-problems worksheet for grades 3-5. Students find the perimeter of a rectangle, square, triangle, pentagon, and square table in Section A (6 single-step word problems), then solve 4 multi-step problems in Section B that include cost-per-foot fencing, missing-side reversal, regular-hexagon laps, and a rectangle with length twice the width. Includes a complete answer key.

Download Worksheet

All Perimeter Word Problems Worksheets

Preview of page 1 of the Perimeter Word Problems Worksheet

Subject

Math

Grades

Grades 3–5

Skill Focus

Perimeter Word Problems, geometry

Lesson Length

20 minutes

Lesson Overview

About this worksheet

Perimeter is the distance around a flat shape – the sum of every side length. For polygons in general, add all the sides. For rectangles, the shortcut Perimeter = 2 x L + 2 x W (or P = 2 x (L + W)) saves time. This worksheet is entirely word-problem driven – no plain figures – so students practice extracting dimensions from a sentence (a ‘rectangular bulletin board 8 ft long and 3 ft wide’, a ‘pentagon-shaped sign with sides 4, 4, 5, 5, 6’) before computing.

The reference box at the top of page 1 covers both directions: the forward direction (a rectangle 11 ft by 5 ft has perimeter 2 x 11 + 2 x 5 = 22 + 10 = 32 ft, also shown as 2 x (11 + 5) = 32) and the reverse direction (subtract known sides from the perimeter, or rearrange the rectangle formula). The (11, 5) operand pair does NOT appear in any assessed item.

Section A on page 1 has 6 single-step word problems in a single-column layout (the contexts and side-length lists are too long for a 2-column layout): a bulletin board, a square photo frame, a triangular garden bed, a rectangular rug, a pentagon sign, and a square table. Every item asks ONLY for the perimeter – no extra unit conversion or cost calculation – so students get clean practice on the core skill before Section B layers complications.

Section B on page 2 has 4 multi-step word problems with work boxes (1.10in). Item 7 introduces cost-per-foot fencing (perimeter 46 ft at 3 dollars per foot = 138 dollars). Item 8 is the REVERSE direction – perimeter 36 in and width 7 in given, find the length (11 in). Item 9 is a regular hexagon (all 6 sides equal at 50 m) lap problem requiring 2 laps (600 m). Item 10 is a rectangle with length twice the width and perimeter 48 cm, requiring algebra-like reasoning (W = 8, L = 16). Page 3 is a complete answer key with the arithmetic shown for each item.

How to Use This Lesson

Project the page-1 reference and read the definition out loud: perimeter is the total distance around the OUTSIDE edge – add every side.

Walk through the (11, 5) rectangle worked example two ways: 2 x 11 + 2 x 5 = 32 and 2 x (11 + 5) = 32. Both give 32 ft.

Walk through Section A item 1 (bulletin board 8 ft by 3 ft) together; pick either method.

Walk through Section A item 3 (triangular garden 5, 7, 9) to anchor ‘add ALL sides’ for polygons other than rectangles.

Assign the rest of Section A independently; remind students to write the unit (ft, in, cm) on the answer line.

Read Section B item 7 (fencing cost) together; show the two-step move (find perimeter first, then multiply by cost per foot).

Walk through Section B item 8 (missing length given perimeter and width) since the reverse direction is the most often missed.

Use Section B item 10 (length twice the width) as a closing whole-class problem; show the algebra-like move on the board.

Use the answer key on page 3 for self-check or aide spot-check.

Printable Resource

A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.

Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages · Answer Key