EXPLORING AREAS OF PARALLELOGRAMS

TASK 1 Which side is the base?

The area of any parallelogram is set, and should not depend upon the side you decide to call the base.

1 Measure the base and the perpendicular height then calculate the area.
Base = __________ mm
Height = __________ mm
Area =

2 Measure the new base and the new perpendicular height and then
calculate the area.
Base = __________ mm
Height = __________ mm
Area =

3 What might cause a slight difference between these area calculations?

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TASK 2 Find the base

(Not drawn to scale)
Calculate the length of the base of the parallelogram
if it has an area of 45 cm2. (Not drawn to scale)
(Not drawn to scale)
TASK 3 Calculate the height

Use the area of each parallelogram to calculate the perpendicular height shown as a dotted line. These
diagrams are not drawn to scale so you cannot simply measure the heights.

1 2

3 4

TASK 4 Area versus perimeter

Use the sides of each shape in task 3 to calculate its perimeter.

1 2

3 4

Use the information you have gathered to consider this question:

Can you work out the area of a parallelogram if you know the lengths of its sides or its perimeter?