Max Maths, Year 5, Learn together, Perimeter of shapes (3)

In an engaging mathematics lesson from the Max Maths Year 5 curriculum, students explore the concept of perimeter through a series of exercises that involve shapes with equal-length sides. In one exercise, pupils are tasked with calculating the perimeters of various shapes. For instance, they are presented with a hexagon (a six-sided shape) where each side measures 4 meters. They learn that to find the perimeter, they must multiply the length of one side by the total number of sides, resulting in a perimeter of 24 meters for the hexagon. Similarly, for a decagon (a ten-sided shape) with each side measuring 7 centimeters, the perimeter is calculated by multiplying the side length by ten, yielding a total perimeter of 70 centimeters.

Another problem presents students with a heptagon (a seven-sided shape) with a known perimeter of 56 centimeters. The challenge is to determine the length of a single side when all sides are of equal length. By dividing the total perimeter by the number of sides, students find that each side of the heptagon measures 8 centimeters. These exercises not only reinforce the students' understanding of perimeter but also provide practice in multiplication and division, illustrating the practical application of these operations in geometry. Through these activities, students gain confidence in working with perimeters of various shapes, an essential skill in their mathematical development.