How to Find the Perimeter of a Polygon on a Coordinate Plane

Have you ever wondered how to find the perimeter of a polygon on a coordinate plane? It’s actually a pretty simple process, and in this article, we’ll walk you through it step-by-step. We’ll start by defining what a perimeter is, and then we’ll show you how to find the perimeter of different types of polygons. By the end of this article, you’ll be a perimeter-finding pro!

Step Formula Example
Find the length of each side of the polygon. a = (x – x) + (y – y) a = (3 – 1) + (4 – 2) = 16 = 4
Add the lengths of the sides to find the perimeter. P = a + a + a + … + an P = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12

What is the perimeter of a polygon?

The perimeter of a polygon is the sum of the lengths of its sides. In other words, it is the distance around the polygon. The perimeter of a polygon can be found using the following formula:

“`
P = a + b + c + … + n
“`

where P is the perimeter, and a, b, c, …, n are the lengths of the sides of the polygon.

For example, the perimeter of a triangle with sides of length 3, 4, and 5 is:

“`
P = 3 + 4 + 5 = 12
“`

How to find the perimeter of a polygon on a coordinate plane?

To find the perimeter of a polygon on a coordinate plane, you can use the following steps:

1. Plot the vertices of the polygon on the coordinate plane.
2. Connect the vertices with line segments.
3. Find the length of each side of the polygon.
4. Add the lengths of the sides to find the perimeter.

For example, consider the following polygon on a coordinate plane:

“`
(-2, 3)
(-1, 1)
(1, -1)
(2, 3)
“`

To find the perimeter of this polygon, we can follow the steps above:

1. Plot the vertices of the polygon on the coordinate plane.

“`
(-2, 3)
(-1, 1)
(1, -1)
(2, 3)
“`

2. Connect the vertices with line segments.

“`
——-
| |
| (-2, 3)|
| |
——-
| |
| (-1, 1)|
| |
——-
| |
| (1, -1)|
| |
——-
| |
| (2, 3)|
| |
——-
“`

3. Find the length of each side of the polygon.

“`
Side 1: (-2, 3) to (-1, 1) = (5)
Side 2: (-1, 1) to (1, -1) = 2
Side 3: (1, -1) to (2, 3) = (5)
“`

4. Add the lengths of the sides to find the perimeter.

“`
P = (5) + 2 + (5) = 42
“`

Therefore, the perimeter of the polygon is 42 units.

3. Examples of finding the perimeter of polygons on a coordinate plane

Here are some examples of how to find the perimeter of polygons on a coordinate plane:

Example 1: A triangle

Let’s say we have a triangle with vertices at (-2, 4), (0, 0), and (2, 4). To find the perimeter of this triangle, we can use the following formula:

“`
P = a + b + c
“`

where `a`, `b`, and `c` are the lengths of the sides of the triangle.

In this case, the lengths of the sides are `a = (26)`, `b = 4`, and `c = (26)`. So, the perimeter of the triangle is

“`
P = (26) + 4 + (26) = 14
“`

Example 2: A square

Let’s say we have a square with vertices at (-2, -2), (2, -2), (2, 2), and (-2, 2). To find the perimeter of this square, we can use the following formula:

“`
P = 4s
“`

where `s` is the length of one side of the square.

In this case, the length of one side is `s = (8)`. So, the perimeter of the square is

“`
P = 4(8) = 82
“`

Example 3: A pentagon

Let’s say we have a pentagon with vertices at (-2, -1), (0, 1), (2, -1), (4, 1), and (2, 3). To find the perimeter of this pentagon, we can use the following formula:

“`
P = a + b + c + d + e
“`

where `a`, `b`, `c`, `d`, and `e` are the lengths of the sides of the pentagon.

In this case, the lengths of the sides are `a = (6)`, `b = (2)`, `c = (6)`, `d = (2)`, and `e = (10)`. So, the perimeter of the pentagon is

“`
P = (6) + (2) + (6) + (2) + (10) = 4(2) + (10)
“`

Example 4: A hexagon

Let’s say we have a hexagon with vertices at (-2, -2), (0, 0), (2, -2), (4, 0), (2, 2), and (0, 4). To find the perimeter of this hexagon, we can use the following formula:

“`
P = 6a
“`

where `a` is the length of one side of the hexagon.

In this case, the length of one side is `a = (8)`. So, the perimeter of the hexagon is

“`
P = 6(8) = 122
“`

4. Tips for finding the perimeter of polygons on a coordinate plane

Here are some tips for finding the perimeter of polygons on a coordinate plane:

  • Draw a picture of the polygon. This will help you visualize the problem and make it easier to solve.
  • Label the vertices of the polygon with letters. This will help you keep track of the sides of the polygon.
  • Use the distance formula to find the length of each side of the polygon. The distance formula is

“`
d = ((x – x) + (y – y))
“`

where `x` and `y` are the coordinates of one vertex of the side and `x` and `y` are the coordinates of the other vertex of the side.

  • Add the lengths of the sides of the polygon to find the perimeter.

Here is an example of how to use these tips to find the perimeter of a polygon on a coordinate plane:

Let’s say we have a triangle with vertices at (-2, 4), (0, 0), and (2, 4). To find the perimeter of this triangle, we can use the following steps

How do I find the perimeter of a polygon on a coordinate plane?

To find the perimeter of a polygon on a coordinate plane, you can use the following steps:

1. Identify the vertices of the polygon. The vertices of a polygon are the points where two sides of the polygon meet.
2. Connect the vertices in order. Starting at one vertex, draw a line segment to each of the other vertices, in order.
3. Find the length of each side of the polygon. You can do this by using the Pythagorean theorem, or by measuring the distance between the two vertices on the coordinate plane.
4. Add the lengths of all of the sides to find the perimeter of the polygon.

For example, consider the polygon shown in the following figure.

A polygon on a coordinate plane

The vertices of this polygon are (-2, 2), (-1, 1), (0, 0), (1, 1), and (2, 2). We can connect these vertices in order to form the following polygon:

A polygon on a coordinate plane

The lengths of the sides of this polygon are 5, 4, 3, and 4 units, respectively. Therefore, the perimeter of the polygon is 5 + 4 + 3 + 4 = 16 units.

What if the polygon is not regular?

If the polygon is not regular, you can still find the perimeter by adding the lengths of all of the sides. However, the formula for the perimeter of a regular polygon will not apply.

What if the polygon is concave?

If the polygon is concave, you can still find the perimeter by adding the lengths of all of the sides. However, you will need to account for the fact that the polygon has two “inner” sides. To do this, you can draw a line segment from each vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side. The length of each of these line segments is half the length of the opposite side. Then, add the lengths of all of the sides and the line segments to find the perimeter of the polygon.

What if the polygon is skewed?

If the polygon is skewed, you can still find the perimeter by adding the lengths of all of the sides. However, the sides of the polygon will not be parallel to the axes of the coordinate plane. Therefore, you will need to use the Pythagorean theorem to find the length of each side.

What if the polygon is not on a coordinate plane?

If the polygon is not on a coordinate plane, you can still find the perimeter by using the same steps as you would for a polygon on a coordinate plane. However, you will need to find the coordinates of each vertex of the polygon before you can connect them and find the length of each side.

finding the perimeter of a polygon on a coordinate plane is a relatively simple process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily find the perimeter of any polygon, regardless of its shape or size. Additionally, you can use these same steps to find the perimeter of any other two-dimensional shape, such as a circle or ellipse. With a little practice, you’ll be able to find the perimeter of any shape in no time!

Author Profile

Dale Richard
Dale Richard
Dale, in his mid-thirties, embodies the spirit of adventure and the love for the great outdoors. With a background in environmental science and a heart that beats for exploring the unexplored, Dale has hiked through the lush trails of the Appalachian Mountains, camped under the starlit skies of the Mojave Desert, and kayaked through the serene waters of the Great Lakes.

His adventures are not just about conquering new terrains but also about embracing the ethos of sustainable and responsible travel. Dale’s experiences, from navigating through dense forests to scaling remote peaks, bring a rich tapestry of stories, insights, and practical tips to our blog.