12 Major Difference Between Length And Width (With Chart)

Table of Contents

What Is Length?

In geometric measurement, length is the most extended dimension of an object. It is used to quantify distance from one point to another and is the longest in the three dimensions of an object. In the International System of Quantities, length is a quantity with dimension distance. In most systems of measurement a base unit for length is chosen, from which all other units are derived. In the International Systems of Units (SI) system the base unit for length is the metre. Other units for length are foot, yard, mile and inch for the Imperial or English units of measurement.

Length is commonly understood to mean the most extended dimension of a fixed object. However, this is not always the case and may depend on the position the object is in. Length can also refer to an extent of time like asking how long a certain activity will take. Some use length in the same context as distance like when one says ‘’hold it at arm’s length’’.  

What You Need To Know About Length

  • In geometry, length is defined as the longest dimension of an object.
  • Length is usually measure along the X-axis, which is a horizontal extent.
  • Length determines how long an object is.
  • In the International System of Units (SI) system, the base unit for length is the meter.
  • Length is commonly understood to mean the most extended dimension of a fixed object. However, this is not always the case and may depend on the position the object is in.
  • In Euclidean geometry, length is measured along straight lines unless otherwise specified.
  • In geometry, one of the applications relating to length is Pythagoras theorem which relates length of the sides of a right triangle.
  • Length may also be measured along other types of curves and is referred to as arclength.
  • The volume of a solid rectangular box such as plank of wood is often described as length X Height X depth.
  • The perimeter of a polygon is the sum of the length of its sides.
  • The circumference of a circular disk is the length of the boundary (a circle) of that disk.
  • In other geometries, length may be measured along curved paths referred to as geodesics.

Also Read: Difference Between Pound And Kilogramme

What Is Width?

Width also referred to as Breadth is commonly described as the linear extent or measurement of something from side to side, usually being the shortest dimension or (for something fixed) the shortest horizontal dimension. In other words, width can be defined as the shortest side of an object or body in comparison to a certain length.

Width determines how wide or extensive an object is. It is one of the measurements used in the antecedent by people of Egypt, Elam, the Indus Valley and Mesopotamia in the third millennia. It has remained in use until this day in mathematical applications.

In mathematics, the area of a rectangle (A) is related to the length (L) and width (W) of its sides by the following relationship: A= L x W. If the width is known, it’s easy to find the length by rearranging this equation to get L=A/W. If the length is known and you want the width, the equation can be rearranged as W=A/L.

What You Need To Know About Length

  • In geometry, is defined as the shortest dimension of an object. Sometimes it is also defined as the distance of an object from the base to the top.
  • Width is usually measure along the Y-axis, which is a vertical extent.
  • Width determines how wide or extensive an object is.
  • In the International System of Units (SI) system, the base unit for width is the meter.
  • Width is commonly understood as the linear extent or measurement of something from side to side, usually being the shortest dimension or (for something fixed) the shortest horizontal dimension.
  • Width of a three-dimension model can be measured by considering the horizontal side of the object.
  • In geometry, width can be measured by considering the smallest side of the object.
  • The area of a rectangle (A) is related to the length (L) and width (W) of its sides by the following relationship: A= L x W. If the width is known, it’s easy to find the length by rearranging this equation to get L=A/W. If the length is known and you want the width, the equation can be rearranged as W=A/L.
  • In geometry, if the length and width of a rectangle are ‘a’ units and ‘b’ units respectively, then its perimeter can be described as P=2(a+b).
  • A rectangular prism consists of three different dimensions. The prism’s length, height and width create its volume and surface area, which are its internal and external measurements respectively.  When you know two of the dimensions and either volume or surface area, you can find the third dimension.
  • Finding the surface area for all rectangular prisms (including cubes) involves both addition and multiplication.  You must know the width, length and height of the prism before applying the formula: A=(2wl + 2lh + 2hw).
  •  Width can also be referred to as the breadth.

Also Read: Difference Between Fundamental And Derived Unit/Quantities

Length And Width In Tabular  Form

BASIS OF COMPARISONLENGTHWIDTH
DescriptionLength can be described as the distance along the longest dimension and two ends of an object/line.Width can be described as the linear extent or measurement of something from side to side.
GeometryThe longest side of an object is usually considered as length.The shortest side of an object is usually considered as width.
Alternative NameBreadth.
Three-dimension ModelThe vertical side of an object is as a result of calculating the length of a three-dimension model.The horizontal side of an object is as a result of calculating the width of a three-dimension model.
ImportanceLength determines how long an object is.  Width determines how wide or extensive an object is.  
SI UnitIn the International System of Units (SI) system, the base unit for length is the meter.  In the International System of Units (SI) system, the base unit for width is the meter.  

Also Read: Difference Between Acre And Hectare

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