Area of a Parallelogram

Three of the parallelograms have the correct labels for the base and the perpendicular height.

Which parallelogram is labelled incorrectly

• B

• D

• C

• A

Answer explanation

A is the odd one out. The height is not at a right angle to the base!

Calculate the area of the following shape

Answer explanation

The base is 6cm and the height is 3cm.

6 x 3 = 18

How do I calculate the area of the following shape

• A x B

• A x C

• B x C

Answer explanation

Remember area of a parallelogram is base x perpendicular height

A parallelogram is a shape whose opposite sides are ​ (a)  

The area of a parallelogram is calculated by multiplying the base of the parallelogram by its ​ (b)   height

• parallel
• perpendicular

Calculate the area of the following shape

Answer explanation

First we identify what is the base and what is the perpendicular height.

Then we multiply

7 x 6 = 42

Calculate the perpendicular height of the following shape

• 10mm

• 12mm

• 8mm

• 14mm

Answer explanation

Here we work backwards. We know the area and the base and we know the formula is base x height.

So to get the height we rearrange and divide the area by the base

200 / 25 = 8

Calculate the area in millimetres (mm) of the following shape

Answer explanation

First we identify what is the base and what is the perpendicular height

Next we convert the base to mm

Finally we multiply the base by the perpendicular height

400 x 12= 480

The area of a parallelogram is 45cm². The base of the parallelogram is five times as long as the height. What is the height of the parallelogram?

• 15cm

• 3cm

• 5cm

• 9cm

Answer explanation

The factors of 45cm are:

45cm and 1cm

15cm and 3cm

9cm and 5cm

We know the base is 5 times longer then the height so the height must be 3cm