A rectangular garden is 12 meters long and 9 meters wide. A path 1 meter wide runs along the inside perimeter. What is the area of the path? - Sterling Industries
A rectangular garden is 12 meters long and 9 meters wide. A path 1 meter wide runs along the inside perimeter. What is the area of the path?
A rectangular garden is 12 meters long and 9 meters wide. A path 1 meter wide runs along the inside perimeter. What is the area of the path?
At first glance, this question sparks curiosity—especially as outdoor space planning gains attention across U.S. neighborhoods. With growing interest in functional, sustainable landscapes, even a simple 12x9 meter garden paired with a narrow inner path has become a topic worth understanding. What exactly changes in area when a uniform border is drawn along the edges? This is more than a landscape math puzzle—it reflects a broader trend toward mindful space use in modern home design.
The key detail lies in how the 1-meter-wide path runs entirely inside the garden’s borders. Because the path follows the inside edge, it doesn’t cut into usable planting space but instead carves a uniform interior zone. To find the path’s area, begin by calculating the garden’s total space and subtract the inner planting region.
Understanding the Context
First, compute the full garden area:
12 meters long × 9 meters wide = 108 square meters
Now, define the inner dimensions. With a 1-meter-wide path along the entire inside perimeter, every side of the planting area shrinks by 2 meters—1 meter lost on each lengthwise and widthwise edge.
Inner length: 12 – 2 = 10 meters
Inner width: 9 – 2 = 7 meters
Inner planting area: 10 × 7 = 70 square meters
Thus, the path’s area is the garden total minus the inner usable space:
108 – 70 = 38 square meters
This path occupies 38 square meters of land—roughly a third of the garden—demonstrating a balanced use of space. It’s not a large footprint, yet it serves a practical role in defining walking paths and protecting soil from foot traffic.
Key Insights
Why is such space planning trending? Many U.S. homeowners now seek smart, low-impact landscaping solutions that merge beauty and function. A precise approach like this allows efficient use of small or medium gardens, transforming the space into a cohesive environment without sacrificing growth potential.
Still, some wonder: does the path affect drainage or plant access? The answer depends on design, but a thoughtfully placed 1-meter path maintains usability while clearly marking boundaries. Advances in permeable paving and native ground covers further enhance such layouts’ ecological value.
Commonly asked questions clarify misconceptions:
