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Area of a Parallelogram

Area of a Parallelogram

The area of a parallelogram is base x vertical height.

This can be deduced from the area of a rectangle, which is `A = bh`

Triangle area proof: parallelogram

Move a triangle from one end of a parallelogram (from T2), and position at the other end (T1). The area of the parallelogram is the same as the area of the rectangle.

Note that it is the vertical distance that provides the height.

Example 1

What is the area of the parallelogram?

Area of a parallelogram

Area of a parallelogram is base x vertical height

A = 12 x 5

A = 60

Answer: 60 cm2

Example 2

A parallelogram has an area of 100 cm2. The vertical height is 5 cm. What is the base length of the parallelogram?

Area = base x vertical height

100 = base x 5

base = 20 cm

Answer: 20 cm