Lesson 7 Ways to Find Unknown Length (Part 1)

    • Let’s find the perimeter of different shapes.

Warm-up Number Talk: Multiple Thirds

Find the value of each expression mentally.

Activity 1 All the Way Around

Problem 1

Find the perimeter of each shape. Write an expression that shows how you find the perimeter.

  1. trapezoid with side measures 13ft, 26ft, 18ft, 37ft
  2. quadrilateral with sides measuring 4/5 mile, 1/5 mile, 4/5 mile, 1/5 mile
  3. equilateral triangle with sides each measuring 798 in
  4. square with sides measuring 6 and 1/3 cm

Problem 2

Compare your expressions with your partners’ expressions. Make 1–2 observations.

Activity 2 Ponder Perimeter

Here are four shapes and what we know about them:

  • A, B, and C have no lines of symmetry.

  • A has no parallel sides.

  • B has 1 pair of parallel sides.

  • C has 2 pairs of parallel sides.

  • D has 1 pair of parallel sides and 1 line of symmetry.

4 shapes. All with 4 sides.

Mai says, “We can’t find the perimeter of any quadrilateral because each one is missing one or more side lengths.”

Andre disagrees. He says, “We can find the perimeters for C and D but not for A and B.”

  1. Do you agree with either one of them? Explain or show your reasoning.

  2. Find the perimeters that could be found, if any.

Activity 3 Perimeter Expressions

Here are five shapes and what we know about them.

  • Not all the sides are labeled.

  • The lines of symmetry are shown.

  • Only the triangle has no parallel sides.

5 shapes. 

Problem 1

For which shapes is it possible to find the perimeter? For which shapes is it not possible? Be prepared to explain how you know.

Problem 2

Here are four expressions. Each one represents the perimeter of one shape. The and in each represent side lengths. Can you tell which expression represents which shape?

Practice Problem

Problem 1

  1. What is the perimeter of the rhombus? Explain or show your reasoning.

    rhombus. 4 sides of equal length. One side labeled 13 centimeters.
  2. Diego says he can find the area of this rectangle because he knows two side lengths.

    Do you agree with Diego? Explain your reasoning.

    rectangle. Top side, 19 feet. Bottom side, 19 feet.