Parallelogram Area: Formula & Examples

A parallelogram is a quadrilateral with two pairs of parallel sides. To find the area of a parallelogram, we can use the following formula:

Formula

Area of parallelogram = base × height

Where:

• Base is the length of any side of the parallelogram.
• Height is the perpendicular distance between the base and the opposite side.

Examples

Let's look at a few examples to understand how to calculate the area of a parallelogram.

Example 1

Consider a parallelogram with a base of 10 cm and a height of 5 cm. The area of the parallelogram is:

Area = base × height = 10 cm × 5 cm = 50 cm²

Example 2

Imagine a parallelogram with a base of 8 cm and a height of 6 cm. The area of the parallelogram is:

Area = base × height = 8 cm × 6 cm = 48 cm²

Key Points to Remember

• The height of a parallelogram is always perpendicular to the base.
• The area of a parallelogram is measured in square units, such as cm², m², or in².
• If you know the lengths of all sides of a parallelogram, you can use the formula for the area of a triangle to calculate the area of the parallelogram.

Practice Problems

Try these practice problems to test your understanding of the area of a parallelogram:

1. A parallelogram has a base of 12 cm and a height of 4 cm. What is its area?
2. A parallelogram has a base of 7 cm and a height of 9 cm. What is its area?

Answers

1. 48 cm²
2. 63 cm²

Remember, the area of a parallelogram is a fundamental concept in geometry. By understanding the formula and practicing with examples, you can easily calculate the area of any parallelogram.