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Parallelogram Area

Mensuration · Class VI

Slide base and perpendicular height to see a parallelogram's area.

12 cm
type a value
130
5 cm
type a value
130
Live values
  • Area60
  • Area of two such triangles60
xy
  • Area as height varies

Formulas in this lab

  • Area
    b⋅hb \cdot h
  • Area of two such triangles
    2⋅12bh2 \cdot \dfrac{1}{2} b h
Tip: Area is a straight line in height with slope b , just like a rectangle of the same base.

Frequently asked questions

▶What is the area formula for a parallelogram?

Area is base times perpendicular height, written b*h. Note that the slant side is not the height; you must use the straight-down perpendicular distance. For a parallelogram with b = 12 cm and h = 5 cm, area is 60 sq cm.

▶How do I use the parallelogram area lab?

Slide base b and perpendicular height h between 1 and 30 cm. The lab shows the area b*h and confirms it equals two triangles of area 0.5*b*h each. Try b = 8 and h = 6 to see area 48 sq cm.

▶Where do I see parallelograms in India?

Many ceiling tiles, kite faces, and roof slopes in Indian houses are parallelograms. A patang (kite) with diagonal 30 cm and height 10 cm has area b*h = 300 sq cm if measured along the base and perpendicular height. The lab gives you a quick check.

▶Parallelogram vs rectangle: same area or not?

A rectangle is a special parallelogram with right angles. Both use area = b*h, but in a slanted parallelogram, h must be perpendicular distance, not the side. If you slant a rectangle to make a parallelogram while keeping b and h the same, the area stays the same; only the perimeter changes.