Which manipulative is used to explore area and perimeter?

• A. Geoboard
• B. Ruler
• C. Pattern Blocks
• D. Pattern Tiles

Answer: (A)

A geoboard lets students build shapes on a grid and see area and perimeter play out in a hands-on way. By placing rubber bands around pegs, a polygon is formed that sits on the grid. The area becomes visible because you can count how many unit squares are inside the shape, giving a concrete sense of how much space the shape occupies. The perimeter becomes clear as you trace the outer boundary with the rubber band and count the unit-length segments along the edge. This direct, tactile setup makes it easy to compare different shapes and notice how enlarging or changing a shape affects both area and perimeter. While a ruler can measure lengths and other manipulatives can illustrate area, the geoboard uniquely integrates forming shapes on a grid to explore both concepts together.