Area of parallelograms
A A parallelogram has opposite sides which are both parallel and equal in length. is made from two congruent triangles. The area of a parallelogram can be calculated using the following formula:
\(\text{Area} = \text{base (b)} \times \text{height (h)}\)
Remember, the height must be the perpendicular height, measured across the shape.
Example
Calculate the area of the parallelogram.
Area = \(9 \times 6 = 54~\text{cm}^2\)
The formula for the area of a parallelogram can be used to find a missing length.
Question
Calculate the width of the base of the parallelogram:
Area = 40 cm2
\(5 \times b = 40~\text{cm}^2\)
\(b = 40 \div 5 = 8~\text{cm}\)