What formula describes the perimeter of a triangle?

• A. P = 2L + 2W
• B. P = 4s
• C. P = s1 + s2 + s3
• D. P = L x W

Answer: (C)

The perimeter of a triangle is calculated by adding together the lengths of all three sides. This is represented in the formula as P = s1 + s2 + s3, where s1, s2, and s3 are the lengths of the individual sides of the triangle. This approach reflects the fundamental definition of perimeter, which is the total distance around a geometric shape.

In contrast, the other formulas listed pertain to different shapes or contexts. The first option refers to the perimeter of a rectangle, the second indicates the perimeter of a square, and the last one represents the area of a rectangle. Therefore, the chosen formula specifically addresses the unique properties of a triangle's sides, making it the correct choice for calculating its perimeter.