A rectangular field is 150 meters long and 80 meters wide. If a walking path of 2 meters wide runs along the inside perimeter of the field, what is the area of the path? - Parker Core Knowledge

Understanding the Context

Have you ever stood in a vast open field and wondered how adding a simple border of walking space changes its usable area? It’s a question gaining attention across the U.S., especially in planning for parks, sports fields, and green urban spaces. Right now, more people are exploring efficient ways to design functional outdoor areas—without sacrificing open space. The scenario of a rectangular field surrounded by a narrow path isn’t just practical—it reveals surprising geometric insights. A rectangular field measuring 150 meters long and 80 meters wide becomes partially transformed when a consistent 2-meter-wide path runs along its inner edges. This setup invites exploration of how perimeter space reallocates to pathway area, inviting both mental math enthusiasts and users seeking functional design knowledge.

Why This Problem Is Top of Mind

Across urban planning, recreation design, and space optimization discussions, rectangular layouts paired with perimeter paths are a common theme. The interest in determining precise area reductions—especially in large open areas—reflects growing demand for clear, data-backed decisions. Whether designing schoolyards, corporate campuses, or community parks, understanding the footprint of pathways helps balance recreation needs with usable land. The 150m x 80m field with a 2m inner path is not just a hypothetic shape; it’s a real-world model showing how thousands of square meters shift from open space to structured walkway, sparking interest from architects, locators, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Key Insights

How to Calculate the Area of the Walking Path

Imagine the field: a rectangle 150 meters by 80 meters. Now picture a consistent 2-meter-wide path running along each inner edge, positioning it neatly inside the boundary. Because the path covers one side of the field’s outline, the usable inner rectangle shrinks in both length and width. To find the path’s area, think of it as the difference between the full field and the narrowed interior space.

• Full field area: 150 × 80 = 12,000 square meters
• Inner usable area: (150 – 4) × (80 – 4) = 146 × 76 = 11,096 square meters
• Path area = Full area – Inner area
• Path area: 12,000 – 11,096 = 904 square meters

This calculation confirms the walking path occupies 904 square meters—erasing a strip of open ground just wide enough for one standard walking path, while preserving the rest for sports, strolling, or recreation.

Final Thoughts

Common Questions Everyone Wants Answered

How much space does a 2-meter path really take?
It removes 4 meters