This artifact, Math Activity 11.1, is an activity we did during Week Six after we were introduced to area and perimeter via 11.1 Notes. Not pictured here, we had actual pattern blocks to help us make the desired arrangements. The first picture shows the question (circled in pink), and the second picture shows our answers. 

What is Perimeter?

In class we defined perimeter as, "the sum of the lengths of all outside edges of a closed shape," we also identified that perimeter is one-dimensional. Ultimately, we use perimeter to measure how "big" the outside edges of a shape are, think of a fence around a yard, how much fence do you need to surround that yard?

When measuring perimeter, it is important that we use the correct units. The correct units to use are often given in the problem like, centimeters (cm), inches (in), feet, (ft), meters (m), kilometers (km), miles (m), etc.  If the measurement is not specified in the question, then you assume you are supposed to use "units."

What is Area?

In class we defined area as, "the amount of two-dimensional space a figure covers." Ultimately, area is the amount of space a figure takes up on a flat plane, think of a pool in a yard, how much ground space does that pool take up?

When measuring area, it is important that we remember to square our units. Because area is a two-dimensional measurement, we have to square our units whether they be square centimeters (cm^2), square inches (in^2), square feet, (ft^2), square meters (m^2), square kilometers (km^2), square miles (m^2), etc. 

My Understanding of Perimeter and Area

On Tuesday of Week Six when we started this unit, we were asked to do a "brain dump" of all of our knowledge of perimeter and area. I went into this activity thinking I already knew everything I needed to know, perimeter is the outside measurement, and area is length x width x height and uses squared units, got it covered, right? Wrong. Erin soon pointed out to us that we missed some key components of both area and perimeter, especially when it came to formulas, you cannot find the perimeter of everything with just length x width, and you can't find the area of everything with just width x length x height, that only works for rectangles. We then as a class went over all of the components that both concepts needed to be included in their definitions to be true and accurate (which are the ones I have written above). 

I know understand that perimeter and area are much more than just their formulas, and I feel like I have a true understanding of what each concept truly encompasses.