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Each square has exactly $\frac{1}{4}$ of its perimeter as part of the line, and together these form the whole line. This means the total perimeter is $4 \times 24\text{cm} = 96\text{cm}$.
Algebraically, the diagram on the left shows that the line has length $a+b+c+d+e+f = 24\text{cm}$. The total of the perimeters is then:
Line of Squares
Age 11 to 14
ShortChallenge Level 
Each square has exactly $\frac{1}{4}$ of its perimeter as part of the line, and together these form the whole line. This means the total perimeter is $4 \times 24\text{cm} = 96\text{cm}$.Algebraically, the diagram on the left shows that the line has length $a+b+c+d+e+f = 24\text{cm}$. The total of the perimeters is then:
$4a+4b+4c+4d+4e+4f = 4\left(a+b+c+d+e+f\right) = 4 \times 24\text{cm} = 96\text{cm}$
This problem is taken from the UKMT Mathematical Challenges.
You can find more short problems, arranged by curriculum topic, in our short problems collection.
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