DSQ: Calculating the perimeter of a polygon - GMAT Quantitative
Card 0 of 40
You are given a regular hexagon and a regular pentagon. Which one has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The hexagon and the pentagon have the same area
Statement 2: The apothem of the hexagon is greater than that of the pentagon
You are given a regular hexagon and a regular pentagon. Which one has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The hexagon and the pentagon have the same area
Statement 2: The apothem of the hexagon is greater than that of the pentagon
Tap to see back →
The area of a polygon is one-half the product of its perimeter and its apothem (the perpendicular distance from the center to a side). Therefore,
,
or



Therefore, the perimeter can be determined from both area and apothem, but not from one alone. Neither statement alone gives you enough information, but from both statements together, it can be determined that the pentagon has the greater perimeter.
The area of a polygon is one-half the product of its perimeter and its apothem (the perpendicular distance from the center to a side). Therefore,
,
or
Therefore, the perimeter can be determined from both area and apothem, but not from one alone. Neither statement alone gives you enough information, but from both statements together, it can be determined that the pentagon has the greater perimeter.
Given a regular hexagon and a regular octagon, which, if either, has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The sidelength of the octagon is one foot.
Statement 2: The sidelength of the hexagon is fifteen inches.
Given a regular hexagon and a regular octagon, which, if either, has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The sidelength of the octagon is one foot.
Statement 2: The sidelength of the hexagon is fifteen inches.
Tap to see back →
Each of the two statements allows you to find out the perimeter of one of the polygons by multiplying its sidelength by the number of its sides. However, neither statement offers any clues to the perimeter of the other polygon. Both statements together, however, allow you to determine and to compare both perimeters.
Each of the two statements allows you to find out the perimeter of one of the polygons by multiplying its sidelength by the number of its sides. However, neither statement offers any clues to the perimeter of the other polygon. Both statements together, however, allow you to determine and to compare both perimeters.

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale. All angles shown are right angles.
What is the perimeter of the above figure?
Statement 1: 
Statement 2: 

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale. All angles shown are right angles.
What is the perimeter of the above figure?
Statement 1:
Statement 2:
Tap to see back →
The figure can be seen as a
rectangle cut out of an
rectangle.

The perimeter of the composite figure is
.
However, since opposite sides of a rectangle are congruent, then, as can be seen in the figure,
and
.
The perimeter can then be rewritten:




Therefore, it is necessary and sufficient to know
and
; the other four sidelengths are not needed to determine the perimeter of the figure.
The figure can be seen as a rectangle cut out of an
rectangle.

The perimeter of the composite figure is
.
However, since opposite sides of a rectangle are congruent, then, as can be seen in the figure, and
.
The perimeter can then be rewritten:
Therefore, it is necessary and sufficient to know and
; the other four sidelengths are not needed to determine the perimeter of the figure.
Consider regular decagon
.
I) Side
is 56 inches long.
II) Side
plus Side
is equivalent to 112 inches.
Find the perimeter of
.
Consider regular decagon .
I) Side is 56 inches long.
II) Side plus Side
is equivalent to 112 inches.
Find the perimeter of .
Tap to see back →
To find perimeter, we need the length of all the sides. Note that we are dealing with a regular polygon, so all of its sides are equal.
Statement I gives us one side length. Multiply the side by ten (decagons have ten sides):

Statement II gives us the length of two sides together. Multiply by 5 to get the total perimeter:

To find perimeter, we need the length of all the sides. Note that we are dealing with a regular polygon, so all of its sides are equal.
Statement I gives us one side length. Multiply the side by ten (decagons have ten sides):
Statement II gives us the length of two sides together. Multiply by 5 to get the total perimeter:
Consider pentagon
.
I) Side
has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side
is one-third the length of side
, and sides
and
have the same length as side
.
What is the perimeter of
?
Consider pentagon .
I) Side has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side is one-third the length of side
, and sides
and
have the same length as side
.
What is the perimeter of ?
Tap to see back →
Consider pentagon
.
I) Side
has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side
is one-third the length of sides
,
and
.
What is the perimeter of
?
To find perimeter, we need to know the length of all the sides.
Statement I gives us the lengths of two sides.
Statement II relates one of the sides given in Statement I to the other three sides:


Consider pentagon .
I) Side has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side is one-third the length of sides
,
and
.
What is the perimeter of ?
To find perimeter, we need to know the length of all the sides.
Statement I gives us the lengths of two sides.
Statement II relates one of the sides given in Statement I to the other three sides:
Consider regular decagon
.
I) Side
is 56 inches long.
II) Side
plus Side
is equivalent to 112 inches.
Find the perimeter of
.
Consider regular decagon .
I) Side is 56 inches long.
II) Side plus Side
is equivalent to 112 inches.
Find the perimeter of .
Tap to see back →
To find perimeter, we need the length of all the sides. Note that we are dealing with a regular polygon, so all of its sides are equal.
Statement I gives us one side length. Multiply the side by ten (decagons have ten sides):

Statement II gives us the length of two sides together. Multiply by 5 to get the total perimeter:

To find perimeter, we need the length of all the sides. Note that we are dealing with a regular polygon, so all of its sides are equal.
Statement I gives us one side length. Multiply the side by ten (decagons have ten sides):
Statement II gives us the length of two sides together. Multiply by 5 to get the total perimeter:
You are given a regular hexagon and a regular pentagon. Which one has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The hexagon and the pentagon have the same area
Statement 2: The apothem of the hexagon is greater than that of the pentagon
You are given a regular hexagon and a regular pentagon. Which one has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The hexagon and the pentagon have the same area
Statement 2: The apothem of the hexagon is greater than that of the pentagon
Tap to see back →
The area of a polygon is one-half the product of its perimeter and its apothem (the perpendicular distance from the center to a side). Therefore,
,
or



Therefore, the perimeter can be determined from both area and apothem, but not from one alone. Neither statement alone gives you enough information, but from both statements together, it can be determined that the pentagon has the greater perimeter.
The area of a polygon is one-half the product of its perimeter and its apothem (the perpendicular distance from the center to a side). Therefore,
,
or
Therefore, the perimeter can be determined from both area and apothem, but not from one alone. Neither statement alone gives you enough information, but from both statements together, it can be determined that the pentagon has the greater perimeter.
Given a regular hexagon and a regular octagon, which, if either, has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The sidelength of the octagon is one foot.
Statement 2: The sidelength of the hexagon is fifteen inches.
Given a regular hexagon and a regular octagon, which, if either, has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The sidelength of the octagon is one foot.
Statement 2: The sidelength of the hexagon is fifteen inches.
Tap to see back →
Each of the two statements allows you to find out the perimeter of one of the polygons by multiplying its sidelength by the number of its sides. However, neither statement offers any clues to the perimeter of the other polygon. Both statements together, however, allow you to determine and to compare both perimeters.
Each of the two statements allows you to find out the perimeter of one of the polygons by multiplying its sidelength by the number of its sides. However, neither statement offers any clues to the perimeter of the other polygon. Both statements together, however, allow you to determine and to compare both perimeters.

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale. All angles shown are right angles.
What is the perimeter of the above figure?
Statement 1: 
Statement 2: 

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale. All angles shown are right angles.
What is the perimeter of the above figure?
Statement 1:
Statement 2:
Tap to see back →
The figure can be seen as a
rectangle cut out of an
rectangle.

The perimeter of the composite figure is
.
However, since opposite sides of a rectangle are congruent, then, as can be seen in the figure,
and
.
The perimeter can then be rewritten:




Therefore, it is necessary and sufficient to know
and
; the other four sidelengths are not needed to determine the perimeter of the figure.
The figure can be seen as a rectangle cut out of an
rectangle.

The perimeter of the composite figure is
.
However, since opposite sides of a rectangle are congruent, then, as can be seen in the figure, and
.
The perimeter can then be rewritten:
Therefore, it is necessary and sufficient to know and
; the other four sidelengths are not needed to determine the perimeter of the figure.
Consider pentagon
.
I) Side
has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side
is one-third the length of side
, and sides
and
have the same length as side
.
What is the perimeter of
?
Consider pentagon .
I) Side has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side is one-third the length of side
, and sides
and
have the same length as side
.
What is the perimeter of ?
Tap to see back →
Consider pentagon
.
I) Side
has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side
is one-third the length of sides
,
and
.
What is the perimeter of
?
To find perimeter, we need to know the length of all the sides.
Statement I gives us the lengths of two sides.
Statement II relates one of the sides given in Statement I to the other three sides:


Consider pentagon .
I) Side has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side is one-third the length of sides
,
and
.
What is the perimeter of ?
To find perimeter, we need to know the length of all the sides.
Statement I gives us the lengths of two sides.
Statement II relates one of the sides given in Statement I to the other three sides:
You are given a regular hexagon and a regular pentagon. Which one has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The hexagon and the pentagon have the same area
Statement 2: The apothem of the hexagon is greater than that of the pentagon
You are given a regular hexagon and a regular pentagon. Which one has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The hexagon and the pentagon have the same area
Statement 2: The apothem of the hexagon is greater than that of the pentagon
Tap to see back →
The area of a polygon is one-half the product of its perimeter and its apothem (the perpendicular distance from the center to a side). Therefore,
,
or



Therefore, the perimeter can be determined from both area and apothem, but not from one alone. Neither statement alone gives you enough information, but from both statements together, it can be determined that the pentagon has the greater perimeter.
The area of a polygon is one-half the product of its perimeter and its apothem (the perpendicular distance from the center to a side). Therefore,
,
or
Therefore, the perimeter can be determined from both area and apothem, but not from one alone. Neither statement alone gives you enough information, but from both statements together, it can be determined that the pentagon has the greater perimeter.
Given a regular hexagon and a regular octagon, which, if either, has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The sidelength of the octagon is one foot.
Statement 2: The sidelength of the hexagon is fifteen inches.
Given a regular hexagon and a regular octagon, which, if either, has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The sidelength of the octagon is one foot.
Statement 2: The sidelength of the hexagon is fifteen inches.
Tap to see back →
Each of the two statements allows you to find out the perimeter of one of the polygons by multiplying its sidelength by the number of its sides. However, neither statement offers any clues to the perimeter of the other polygon. Both statements together, however, allow you to determine and to compare both perimeters.
Each of the two statements allows you to find out the perimeter of one of the polygons by multiplying its sidelength by the number of its sides. However, neither statement offers any clues to the perimeter of the other polygon. Both statements together, however, allow you to determine and to compare both perimeters.

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale. All angles shown are right angles.
What is the perimeter of the above figure?
Statement 1: 
Statement 2: 

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale. All angles shown are right angles.
What is the perimeter of the above figure?
Statement 1:
Statement 2:
Tap to see back →
The figure can be seen as a
rectangle cut out of an
rectangle.

The perimeter of the composite figure is
.
However, since opposite sides of a rectangle are congruent, then, as can be seen in the figure,
and
.
The perimeter can then be rewritten:




Therefore, it is necessary and sufficient to know
and
; the other four sidelengths are not needed to determine the perimeter of the figure.
The figure can be seen as a rectangle cut out of an
rectangle.

The perimeter of the composite figure is
.
However, since opposite sides of a rectangle are congruent, then, as can be seen in the figure, and
.
The perimeter can then be rewritten:
Therefore, it is necessary and sufficient to know and
; the other four sidelengths are not needed to determine the perimeter of the figure.
Consider regular decagon
.
I) Side
is 56 inches long.
II) Side
plus Side
is equivalent to 112 inches.
Find the perimeter of
.
Consider regular decagon .
I) Side is 56 inches long.
II) Side plus Side
is equivalent to 112 inches.
Find the perimeter of .
Tap to see back →
To find perimeter, we need the length of all the sides. Note that we are dealing with a regular polygon, so all of its sides are equal.
Statement I gives us one side length. Multiply the side by ten (decagons have ten sides):

Statement II gives us the length of two sides together. Multiply by 5 to get the total perimeter:

To find perimeter, we need the length of all the sides. Note that we are dealing with a regular polygon, so all of its sides are equal.
Statement I gives us one side length. Multiply the side by ten (decagons have ten sides):
Statement II gives us the length of two sides together. Multiply by 5 to get the total perimeter:
Consider pentagon
.
I) Side
has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side
is one-third the length of side
, and sides
and
have the same length as side
.
What is the perimeter of
?
Consider pentagon .
I) Side has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side is one-third the length of side
, and sides
and
have the same length as side
.
What is the perimeter of ?
Tap to see back →
Consider pentagon
.
I) Side
has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side
is one-third the length of sides
,
and
.
What is the perimeter of
?
To find perimeter, we need to know the length of all the sides.
Statement I gives us the lengths of two sides.
Statement II relates one of the sides given in Statement I to the other three sides:


Consider pentagon .
I) Side has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side is one-third the length of sides
,
and
.
What is the perimeter of ?
To find perimeter, we need to know the length of all the sides.
Statement I gives us the lengths of two sides.
Statement II relates one of the sides given in Statement I to the other three sides:
You are given a regular hexagon and a regular pentagon. Which one has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The hexagon and the pentagon have the same area
Statement 2: The apothem of the hexagon is greater than that of the pentagon
You are given a regular hexagon and a regular pentagon. Which one has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The hexagon and the pentagon have the same area
Statement 2: The apothem of the hexagon is greater than that of the pentagon
Tap to see back →
The area of a polygon is one-half the product of its perimeter and its apothem (the perpendicular distance from the center to a side). Therefore,
,
or



Therefore, the perimeter can be determined from both area and apothem, but not from one alone. Neither statement alone gives you enough information, but from both statements together, it can be determined that the pentagon has the greater perimeter.
The area of a polygon is one-half the product of its perimeter and its apothem (the perpendicular distance from the center to a side). Therefore,
,
or
Therefore, the perimeter can be determined from both area and apothem, but not from one alone. Neither statement alone gives you enough information, but from both statements together, it can be determined that the pentagon has the greater perimeter.
Given a regular hexagon and a regular octagon, which, if either, has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The sidelength of the octagon is one foot.
Statement 2: The sidelength of the hexagon is fifteen inches.
Given a regular hexagon and a regular octagon, which, if either, has the greater perimeter?
Statement 1: The sidelength of the octagon is one foot.
Statement 2: The sidelength of the hexagon is fifteen inches.
Tap to see back →
Each of the two statements allows you to find out the perimeter of one of the polygons by multiplying its sidelength by the number of its sides. However, neither statement offers any clues to the perimeter of the other polygon. Both statements together, however, allow you to determine and to compare both perimeters.
Each of the two statements allows you to find out the perimeter of one of the polygons by multiplying its sidelength by the number of its sides. However, neither statement offers any clues to the perimeter of the other polygon. Both statements together, however, allow you to determine and to compare both perimeters.

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale. All angles shown are right angles.
What is the perimeter of the above figure?
Statement 1: 
Statement 2: 

Note: Figure NOT drawn to scale. All angles shown are right angles.
What is the perimeter of the above figure?
Statement 1:
Statement 2:
Tap to see back →
The figure can be seen as a
rectangle cut out of an
rectangle.

The perimeter of the composite figure is
.
However, since opposite sides of a rectangle are congruent, then, as can be seen in the figure,
and
.
The perimeter can then be rewritten:




Therefore, it is necessary and sufficient to know
and
; the other four sidelengths are not needed to determine the perimeter of the figure.
The figure can be seen as a rectangle cut out of an
rectangle.

The perimeter of the composite figure is
.
However, since opposite sides of a rectangle are congruent, then, as can be seen in the figure, and
.
The perimeter can then be rewritten:
Therefore, it is necessary and sufficient to know and
; the other four sidelengths are not needed to determine the perimeter of the figure.
Consider regular decagon
.
I) Side
is 56 inches long.
II) Side
plus Side
is equivalent to 112 inches.
Find the perimeter of
.
Consider regular decagon .
I) Side is 56 inches long.
II) Side plus Side
is equivalent to 112 inches.
Find the perimeter of .
Tap to see back →
To find perimeter, we need the length of all the sides. Note that we are dealing with a regular polygon, so all of its sides are equal.
Statement I gives us one side length. Multiply the side by ten (decagons have ten sides):

Statement II gives us the length of two sides together. Multiply by 5 to get the total perimeter:

To find perimeter, we need the length of all the sides. Note that we are dealing with a regular polygon, so all of its sides are equal.
Statement I gives us one side length. Multiply the side by ten (decagons have ten sides):
Statement II gives us the length of two sides together. Multiply by 5 to get the total perimeter:
Consider pentagon
.
I) Side
has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side
is one-third the length of side
, and sides
and
have the same length as side
.
What is the perimeter of
?
Consider pentagon .
I) Side has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side is one-third the length of side
, and sides
and
have the same length as side
.
What is the perimeter of ?
Tap to see back →
Consider pentagon
.
I) Side
has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side
is one-third the length of sides
,
and
.
What is the perimeter of
?
To find perimeter, we need to know the length of all the sides.
Statement I gives us the lengths of two sides.
Statement II relates one of the sides given in Statement I to the other three sides:


Consider pentagon .
I) Side has the same length as side
, 5 inches.
II) Side is one-third the length of sides
,
and
.
What is the perimeter of ?
To find perimeter, we need to know the length of all the sides.
Statement I gives us the lengths of two sides.
Statement II relates one of the sides given in Statement I to the other three sides: