Explain how to calculate the area of a parallelogram | Maths

Starter quiz

Which of the shapes is 4-sided?
- Triangle
- Parallelogram ✓
- Pentagon
- Hexagon
- Octagon
Choose the parallelograms.
Which of the statements is true for parallelograms?
- They can contain a right angle. ✓
- They can contain curved sides.
- Opposite sides are parallel to each other. ✓
- All of the interior angles are always different to each other.
- Pairs of opposite angles are equal. ✓
Number rods have been used to make shapes. Tick the statement that is true.
- Neither are parallelograms.
- Both are parallelograms. ✓
- The shape on the left is a parallelogram but the shape on the right is not.
- The shape on the right is a parallelogram but the shape on the left is not.
‘A square is a parallelogram’. Is this statement:
- Always true? ✓
- Sometimes true?
- Never true?
Which of these statements are true?
- The two shapes have the same side lengths as each other. ✓
- Both shapes are rectangles.
- Both shapes are parallelograms. ✓

Exit quiz

Which line is the base of the parallelogram?
- Line a
- Line b
- Line c ✓
Which line is the perpendicular height of the parallelogram?
- Line a
- Line b ✓
- Line c
What is the formula for the area of a parallelogram?
- Area = base × perpendicular height ✓
- Area = base + perpendicular height
- Area = base ÷ perpendicular height
- Area = base − perpendicular height
What is the area of the parallelogram? ______ cm².
- '24' ✓
A parallelogram has a base length of 10 cm and a perpendicular height of 3 cm. What is the area of the parallelogram? ______ cm².
- '30' ✓
A parallelogram has a base length of 6 cm and a perpendicular height of 4 cm. What is the area of the parallelogram? ______ cm².
- '24' ✓

Worksheet

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Lesson Details

Key learning points

The area of a parallelogram is equal to the area of the rectangle created by rearranging the parts.
Any parallelogram has a base and a perpendicular height.
The area of a parallelogram is equal to its base multiplied by its perpendicular height.

Common misconception

Pupils might believe the perpendicular height of any parallelogram to be one of its side lengths. This is only true of a rectangle.

Take time to exemplify perpendicular height with a focus on the right angle created. Make use of examples within the lesson and include additional unusual parallelograms to secure understanding.

Keywords

Perpendicular - Two lines are perpendicular if they meet at a right angle.
Parallelogram - A parallelogram is a quadrilateral with two pairs of parallel and equal sides.