Lesson 2: Area - Area of Parallelograms

   Constructing Knowledge

A parallelogram is a four-sided polygon whose opposite sides are equal in length and parallel to each other. The shape resembles a rectangle that has been pushed over like an unstable building or cardboard box.



Calculating the area of a parallelogram involves its base and height, much like a triangle.



If a parallelogram is cut along its height as shown, the two pieces can be rearranged to create a rectangle.



Notice that the resulting rectangle still has the same dimensions of base and height.

As such, the formula for the area of a parallelogram is written as:

\(\begin{align} \text{Area}_{\text{parallelogram}}&=\text{base}\times \text{height} \\ \\ \text{A}_{\text{parallelogram}}&=bh \end{align}\)


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