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Parameter vs. Perimeter — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 2, 2023
A "parameter" is a variable that influences or delineates the properties and functioning of a system, whereas a "perimeter" refers to the length of the boundary surrounding a closed two-dimensional shape.
Parameter vs. Perimeter — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Parameter and Perimeter

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Key Differences

Parameter refers to a set of physical properties or defining elements that determine the behavior and characteristics of a system. Parameters are often numerical values that influence the outcome or performance of a process. They are like dials on a machine, where each setting affects the machine's function.
Perimeter, on the other hand, is a term used in geometry to describe the total length around a two-dimensional shape. This is the sum of the lengths of all the sides of the figure. It is a physical measure of length and is always a linear measurement.
While parameter is an abstract concept, often used in mathematical, technical, or conceptual contexts to talk about the limits or boundaries of what is possible or expected, perimeter is a specific mathematical term. The perimeter is a measurable length, while a parameter is a variable that can affect various aspects of a system.
Both words, parameter, and perimeter, are often confused due to their phonetic similarity, but they are used in entirely different contexts. The parameter is more abstract and can change depending on the scenario, while the perimeter is a direct measurement and only applies to physical shapes.
When discussing parameters, one might refer to the settings on a machine, the variables in an equation, or the conditions of a test. Parameters define systems or operations. When talking about perimeters, the conversation revolves around physical spaces, such as fields, buildings, or plots of land. The perimeter is about measuring and defining physical boundaries.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

A variable that determines a system’s operation or sets conditions.
The total length of the boundary of a 2D shape.

Context of Use

Mathematics, science, technology, and conceptual analysis.
Geometry and physical measurements.

Nature

Can be a numerical value or a set of rules.
Always a numerical value representing length.

Variability

May change depending on the situation.
Fixed for a given shape; changes only if the shape changes.

Example

Adjusting parameters in a computer program.
Calculating the perimeter of a rectangle.

Compare with Definitions

Parameter

A limit or boundary defining the scope of a particular process or activity.
Adjusting the parameters of the experiment may yield different results.

Perimeter

The sum total of the lengths of the sides of a polygon.
To find the perimeter of the rectangle, add the lengths of all four sides.

Parameter

A numerical or other measurable factor forming part of a set that defines a system or sets the conditions of its operation.
The engineer set the temperature parameter to ensure optimal performance.

Perimeter

The continuous line forming the boundary of a closed geometric figure.
They walked the perimeter of the square park to measure its total length.

Parameter

An element that determines the nature, behavior, or output of a function or system.
In the equation, the parameter 'a' influences the slope of the line.

Perimeter

A boundary line of any area or surface.
The fence marked the perimeter of the property.

Parameter

In statistics, a parameter is a quantity that influences the distribution of a population.
The mean is a statistical parameter that describes the average value of the data.

Perimeter

The measurement of the distance around something.
The perimeter of the circular track is 400 meters.

Parameter

A parameter (from the Ancient Greek παρά, para: "beside", "subsidiary"; and μέτρον, metron: "measure"), generally, is any characteristic that can help in defining or classifying a particular system (meaning an event, project, object, situation, etc.). That is, a parameter is an element of a system that is useful, or critical, when identifying the system, or when evaluating its performance, status, condition, etc.

Perimeter

A perimeter is either a path that encompasses/surrounds/outlines a shape (in two dimensions) or its length (one-dimensional). The perimeter of a circle or an ellipse is called its circumference.

Parameter

A numerical or other measurable factor forming one of a set that defines a system or sets the conditions of its operation
There are three parameters by which a speaker is able to modify the meaning of the utterance—pitch, volume, and tempo

Perimeter

The continuous line forming the boundary of a closed geometrical figure
The perimeter of a rectangle

Parameter

A limit or boundary which defines the scope of a particular process or activity
The parameters within which the media work

Perimeter

An instrument for measuring the extent and characteristics of a person's field of vision.

Parameter

A constant in an equation that varies in other equations of the same general form, especially such a constant in the equation of a curve or surface that can be varied to represent a family of curves or surfaces.

Perimeter

A closed line bounding a plane area.

Parameter

One of a set of independent variables that express the coordinates of a point.

Perimeter

The length of such a line.

Parameter

One of a set of measurable factors, such as temperature and pressure, that define a system and determine its behavior and are varied in an experiment.

Perimeter

The outer limits of an area.

Parameter

Usage Problem A factor that restricts what is possible or what results
"all the parameters of shelter—where people will live, what mode of housing they will choose, and how they will pay for it" (New York).

Perimeter

A defended boundary protecting a military position.

Parameter

A factor that determines a range of variations; a boundary
An experimental school that keeps expanding the parameters of its curriculum.

Perimeter

(Basketball) The three-point line.

Parameter

(Statistics) A quantity, such as a mean, that is calculated from data and describes a population.

Perimeter

(mathematics) The sum of the distance of all the lengths of the sides of an object.

Parameter

Usage Problem A distinguishing characteristic or feature.

Perimeter

(mathematics) The length of such a boundary.

Parameter

A value kept constant during an experiment, equation, calculation, or similar, but varied over other versions of the experiment, equation, calculation, etc.

Perimeter

The outer limits of an area. circumference

Parameter

(sciences) A variable that describes some system (material, object, event, etc.) or some aspect thereof.

Perimeter

A fortified strip or boundary usually protecting a military position.

Parameter

(statistics) Any measured quantity of a statistical population that summarises or describes an aspect of the population.

Perimeter

An instrument for determining the extent and shape of the field of vision.

Parameter

(machine learning) A variable of a model that is trained by a machine learning algorithm.

Perimeter

The outer boundary of a body or figure, or the sum of all the sides.

Parameter

(programming) An input variable of a function definition, that gets an actual value (argument) at execution time.

Perimeter

An instrument for determining the extent and shape of the field of vision.

Parameter

An actual value given to such a formal parameter.

Perimeter

The boundary line or the area immediately inside the boundary

Parameter

A characteristic or feature that distinguishes something from others.

Perimeter

A line enclosing a plane areas

Parameter

(geometry) In the ellipse and hyperbola, a third proportional to any diameter and its conjugate, or in the parabola, to any abscissa and the corresponding ordinate.
The parameter of the principal axis of a conic section is called the latus rectum.

Perimeter

The size of something as given by the distance around it

Parameter

(crystallography) The ratio of the three crystallographic axes which determines the position of any plane.

Perimeter

The outermost limits or edge of an area or surface.
Security guards patrolled the perimeter of the building.

Parameter

(crystallography) The fundamental axial ratio for a given species.

Parameter

A constant number which is part of a theory, function, or calculation, whose value is not determined by the form of the theory or equation itself, and may in some cases be arbitrary assigned.

Parameter

A term applied to some characteristic magnitude whose value, invariable as long as one and the same function, curve, surface, etc., is considered, serves to distinguish that function, curve, surface, etc., from others of the same kind or family.

Parameter

Any constant number which is required to calculate values of observed phenomena according to a theory, but the value of which must be determined by experiment, and cannot be calculated from the fundamental assumptions of the theory. In general, a theory which has a large number of parameters, though it may accurately predict experimental results, is considered as having less explanatory power and as being less esthetically pleasing than a theory with fewer parameters.

Parameter

The ratio of the three crystallographic axes which determines the position of any plane; also, the fundamental axial ratio for a given species.

Parameter

The limits, guidelines, or assumptions from within which an activity is carried out; as, new arrivals need to learn the parameters of the research in our department.

Parameter

A variable used in a calculation within a computer program which must be assigned a value before the calculation can be performed; as, let's plug in the parameters and see what the result is.

Parameter

A characteristic or element, especially one used as a criterion for evaluation or judgment; as, a useful parameter for determining efficiency.

Parameter

A constant in the equation of a curve that can be varied to yield a family of similar curves

Parameter

Any factor that defines a system and determines (or limits) its performance

Parameter

A quantity (such as the mean or variance) that characterizes a statistical population and that can be estimated by calculations from sample data

Parameter

A characteristic or constant factor considered for analysis or calculation.
The study included several parameters, such as age and weight, to ensure accuracy.

Common Curiosities

What is a parameter in mathematical terms?

In mathematics, a parameter is a quantity that defines certain characteristics of a function or system and can affect its behavior.

What does perimeter mean in geometry?

In geometry, the perimeter is the total length of the boundary of a two-dimensional figure.

How do you find the perimeter of a rectangle?

To find the perimeter of a rectangle, add twice the length to twice the width (P = 2l + 2w).

Can a parameter be non-numerical?

Yes, parameters can also be non-numerical, representing categories or sets of rules in a system.

Are parameters only used in math?

No, parameters are used in a variety of fields including mathematics, science, computing, and more to describe influential factors.

Is the perimeter always measured in linear units?

Yes, the perimeter is a linear measurement, so it is always measured in units of length.

Can parameters affect the outcome of a model or experiment?

Yes, changing parameters can significantly affect the results of a model or experiment.

Can the parameters of a system change?

Yes, parameters can often be adjusted or changed depending on the desired outcome of the system.

Are parameters important in computer programming?

Parameters are essential in programming as they define the conditions under which a program operates.

Does the perimeter change if the shape changes?

Yes, the perimeter will change if the shape's size changes or if it transforms into a different shape.

How is perimeter used in security?

In security, perimeter refers to the outermost boundaries of a secured area which are monitored or patrolled.

Is perimeter used in everyday language?

Yes, perimeter is used in everyday language to describe the outer boundary of an area.

Are parameters the same as variables?

Parameters are specific kinds of variables that define a system's operation; they are often constant in the context of a particular function.

Do parameters and perimeter have the same etymology?

No, despite sounding similar, they have different origins; "parameter" comes from the Greek "para-" meaning beside, and "metron" meaning measure, while "perimeter" comes from "peri-" meaning around.

Can a shape have more than one perimeter?

No, a single, closed, two-dimensional shape has one continuous perimeter.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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