What is the Difference Between Circumference and Perimeter?

The difference between circumference and perimeter lies in the shapes they refer to:

• Circumference: Circumference is a term used specifically for circles. It represents the distance around the outer boundary (edge) of a circle. The formula for calculating the circumference of a circle is $$C = 2\pi r$$, where $$C$$ is the circumference and $$r$$ is the radius of the circle (the distance from its center to any point on its outer edge).
• Perimeter: Perimeter is a more general term used for any closed two-dimensional shape, such as squares, rectangles, triangles, or any other polygon. It refers to the total distance around the boundary of a shape, regardless of whether it is a circle or any other polygon. The formula for calculating the perimeter depends on the shape. For example, the perimeter of a triangle is the sum of its sides: $$P = a + b + c$$, where $$P$$ is the perimeter and $$a$$, $$b$$, and $$c$$ are the lengths of the sides of the triangle.

In summary, "circumference" specifically applies to the boundary of a circle, while "perimeter" is a more general term that applies to the boundary of any closed two-dimensional shape.

Comparative Table: Circumference vs Perimeter

The difference between circumference and perimeter lies in the shapes they refer to and the formulas used to calculate them:

In summary, circumference specifically refers to the boundary of a circle, while perimeter is a more general term that applies to the boundary of any closed two-dimensional shape.