The document discusses methods for calculating the area of a parallelogram. It explains that a parallelogram can be divided into a rectangle or two triangles to calculate its area using the formula of base times height. It provides an example of using the formula to find the area of a parallelogram when given the base and height measurements.

1. October 4, 2012
Areas
2. The area of a parallelogram.
Next

2. Explanation October 4, 2012
Here is a parallelogram.
h
b
It can be divided into a right angle triangle and a
trapezium.
The triangle can be moved to the other side, so that the
two shapes form a rectangle.
You can now calculate the area as base × height
This works for all parallelograms.
Area of a parallelogram = b × h
More
Next

3. Explanation October 4, 2012
You can also divide any parallelogram into two equal
triangles.
The formula for the area of each triangle = 1 × b × h
2
So
The area of the parallelogram = 2 × 1 × b × h
2
or A= b × h
This is another way of demonstrating the formula
Area of a parallelogram = b × h
More

4. Explanation October 4, 2012
b
b h hh
h b
b
You can use any side of the parallelogram as the base,
from which to work out the perpendicular height.
When you calculate the area, make sure that you use
the height that corresponds to the base that you choose.
More

5. Example October 4, 2012
Find the area of this parallelogram.
5.9 cm
7.3 cm
Area of a parallelogram = b × h
= × cm²
= 43.07 cm²
= 43.1 cm² to one s.f.
More
Next
End