The area of a parallelogram can be found by multiplying the distance between two parallel sides by the length of either of those sides. Explain why this formula works.
thanks
2007-12-09 05:52:44 · 5 answers · asked by zzzz42 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
An example of a parallelogram is a square or a rectangle. They both have opposite sides that are parallel.
The "formula" above is merely stating the obvious. The area of a rectangle, for example, is length times width. So
A = l • w
Basically, the "distance between two parallel sides" will give you the width (w) and the "length of one of those sides" is the length (l). So, when you multiply them, you get:
w • l
This multiplication will give you the area or said parallelogram.
w • l = Area
Hope I helped! :-)
2007-12-09 06:06:34 · answer #1 · answered by Jacob F 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Imagine a parallelogram. each side is parallel to the other. now add a triangle to one of the sides to make it perpendicular to the long lines. Now take this triangle and bring it to the other side. You can see that the area of this triangle is the same as the area of the extra bit on the other end, this means that it has the same area as the rectangle we had before, but has a different shape. The area of a rectangle is height x length, this is where the formula comes from
2007-12-09 14:01:53 · answer #2 · answered by raph s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From the 2 angles at the base of the parallelogram, draw vertical lines at right angles to the base, and extend them upward. One will intersect the top line of the parallelogram, and the other will require you to extend the top of the parallelogram to meet it. You will form 2 identical right triangles in this way. Subtract the one inside the parallelogram, and add the one outside the parallelogram. Voila! Now you have a rectangle that has the same area as the parallelogram. The area of the rectangle = base X height, and therefore so does the area of the parallelogram.
2007-12-09 14:10:28 · answer #3 · answered by Joe L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The standard equation for the area of a parallelogram is A = bh or A = lw (base x height or length x width)
The distance between two parallel sides is either the height or the base.
The length of one of those sides is the other.
These two dimensions will give you the area.
Hope this helps.
2007-12-09 14:03:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sketch a parallelogram. Square up one end by chopping off the triangle, then take that piece and fill in the other end. You now have a rectangle with the same area as the parallelogram.
2007-12-09 14:02:16 · answer #5 · answered by jgoulden 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋