Area of a Parallelogram		Unit 1

The area of a polygon is the number of square units inside the polygon. Area is 2-dimensional like a carpet or an area rug.
A parallelogram is a 4-sided shape formed by two pairs of parallel lines. Opposite sides are equal in length and opposite angles are equal in measure. To find the area of a parallelogram, multiply the base by the height. The formula is:
where is the base, is the height, and · means multiply.
The base and height of a parallelogram must be perpendicular. However, the lateral sides of a parallelogram are not perpendicular to the base. Thus, a dotted line is drawn to represent the height. Let's look at some examples involving the area of a parallelogram.
Example 1:	Find the area of a parallelogram with a base of 12 centimeters and a height of 5 centimeters.
Solution:
	= (12 cm) · (5 cm)
	= 60 cm2
Example 2:	Find the area of a parallelogram with a base of 7 inches and a height of 10 inches.
Solution:
	= (7 in) · (10 in)
	= 70 in2
Example 3:	The area of a parallelogram is 24 square centimeters and the base is 4 centimeters. Find the height.
Solution:
	24 cm2 = (4 cm) ·
	24 cm2 ÷ (4 cm) =
	= 6 cm
Summary:	Given the base and height of a parallelogram, we can find the area. Given the area of a parallelogram and either the base or the height, we can find the missing dimension. The formula for area of a parallelogram is:
	where is the base, is the height, and · means multiply.

---

Exercises

Directions: Read each question below. Click once in an ANSWER BOX and type in your answer; then click ENTER. Your answers should be given as whole numbers greater than zero. After you click ENTER, a message will appear in the RESULTS BOX to indicate whether your answer is correct or incorrect. To start over, click CLEAR.

1.	Find the area of a parallelogram with a base of 8 feet and a height of 3 feet. ANSWER BOX:   = ft2 RESULTS BOX:

2.	Find the area of a parallelogram with a base of 4 meters and a height of 9 meters. ANSWER BOX:   = m2 RESULTS BOX:

3.	The area of a parallelogram is 64 square inches and the height is 16 inches. Find the base. ANSWER BOX:   = in RESULTS BOX:

4.	A parallelogram has an area of 54 square centimeters and a base of 6 centimeters. Find the height. ANSWER BOX:   = cm RESULTS BOX:

5.	A parallelogram-shaped garden has an area of 42 square yards and a height of 6 yards. Find the base. ANSWER BOX:   = yd RESULTS BOX:

---

Lesson Access Perimeter of Polygons Area of a Rectangle Area of a Parallelogram Area of a Triangle Area of a Trapezoid Practice Exercises Challenge Exercises Solutions Related Activities Access Interactive Puzzle Printable Worksheet Perimeter and String Geometry and a Shoebox
		OR

Top of Page   |   More Lessons   |   Terms of Use   |   Recommend This Lesson!

Copyright © 1998-2008 Gisele Glosser. All Rights Reserved.