Area and perimeter problems
Area and perimeter answer real questions your child can picture, like how much fence a garden needs or how many tiles cover a floor, and knowing which one fits the job is the part that lasts. Working backward to a missing side also strengthens the link between multiplying and dividing. In 5th grade this thinking grows into volume, and in middle school into the area of triangles and circles.
In this video, your child will learn to solve area and perimeter problems.
The lesson stops at each question for your child's answer.
Three problems, each a little harder
Each problem is worked step by step. Your child will solve the last one before Bobby shows how.
Example 1
9 m long, 4 m wide. Perimeter = ? m
Example 2
Area = 48 sq ft, width = 6 ft. Length = ? ft
Your child's turn
Area = 63 sq m, width = 7 m. Length = ? m
The three key steps
- 1Perimeter: 2 lengths + 2 widths
- 2Area: length × width
- 3Missing side? Divide the area.
Mistakes to listen for
- Multiplying the sides when the question asks how much fence is needed, answering 40 feet for an 8 by 5 garden instead of 26.
- Adding only two sides for the perimeter, getting 13 feet for an 8 by 5 rectangle.
- Labeling area in feet instead of square feet, or perimeter in square units.
The lesson shows every step, so your child sees why it works. Read our parent's guide to using area and perimeter to solve real problems →
Is your child ready to practice what they've learned?
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More 4th grade Measurement & Data, with questions your child answers along the way.
Questions parents ask
Does my child need an account to watch?
No. You can watch this on any device at any time. If your child would like to practice using area and perimeter to solve real problems, and you'd like parent-friendly reports on your child's progress and growth, you can join Bobby's Math Club for unlimited free practice.
What happens when my child answers a question?
A right answer gets a cheer, and the lesson carries on. If your child isn't sure, they can tap "I don't know yet", and Bobby gives the answer and shows another example. Nothing is scored or stored.
Is this the same lesson that's on YouTube?
Yes. Here, the lesson stops at each question and waits for your child to answer. On YouTube, each question stays on screen for a few seconds, and then the lesson plays on.
Where can I learn more?
There's a short, kid-friendly lesson like this one for every Pre-K to 5th grade math skill, all in our video library. Our parent's guide to using area and perimeter to solve real problems has more on where kids get stuck and how you can help at home. In the club, your child practices at just the right level, about five minutes a day, and you get parent-friendly reports as they grow. Learn more about how it works →
Practice using area and perimeter to solve real problems
Questions at your child's level, about five minutes a day, on using area and perimeter to solve real problems and whatever PK-5 skills they need to develop. Unlimited practice, free forever.
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