Area of Parallelograms and Trapezoids

The base of a parallelogram is the length of any of its sides.

The height of a parallelogram is the perpendicular distance between the side whose length is the base and the opposite side. The diagrams below show how to change a parallelogram into a rectangle with the same base, height, and area as the parallelogram.

The bases of a trapezoid are the lengths of any of its parallel sides. The height of a trapezoid is the perpendicular distance between the sides whose lengths are the bases. The diagram below shows how two congruent trapezoids with height h and bases b1 and b2 can be put together to form a parallelogram with base b1 + b2 and height h.

Find out more about the area of parallelograms and trapezoids by reading the explanation below.

Area of Parallelograms and Trapezoids

Practice: Answer the following exercises about area of parallelograms and trapezoids.

Area of Parallelograms and Trapezoids