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Parallelogram Area: Formula & Examples
A parallelogram is a four-sided shape with two pairs of parallel sides. The area of a parallelogram is the amount of space it occupies. To calculate the area of a parallelogram, we use the following formula:
Area of a Parallelogram Formula
A = b * h
Where:
- A represents the area of the parallelogram.
- b represents the length of the base of the parallelogram.
- h represents the height of the parallelogram.
The height of a parallelogram is the perpendicular distance between the base and its opposite side. It is important to note that the height is not the same as the length of one of the sides.
Example 1: Simple Parallelogram
Let’s consider a parallelogram with a base of 5 cm and a height of 3 cm. Using the formula, we can calculate the area as follows:
A = b * h
A = 5 cm * 3 cm
A = 15 cm²
Therefore, the area of the parallelogram is 15 square centimeters.
Example 2: Parallelogram with Three Numbers
Imagine a parallelogram with a base of 7 cm, a side length of 5 cm, and a height of 4 cm. We need to use the height, not the side length, to calculate the area.
A = b * h
A = 7 cm * 4 cm
A = 28 cm²
The area of this parallelogram is 28 square centimeters.
Practice Questions
Here are some practice questions to test your understanding:
- A parallelogram has a base of 8 cm and a height of 6 cm. What is its area?
- A parallelogram has a base of 10 cm and an area of 40 cm². What is its height?
Additional Resources
For further exploration of parallelograms and their properties, you can refer to these resources:
Remember, understanding the formula and applying it correctly will help you solve problems involving the area of parallelograms.