Parallelogram is a four-sided polygon (quadrilateral) where opposite sides are parallel and equal in length. A key feature of parallelograms is that they have two sets of parallel lines, which gives them their name. Examples of parallelograms include squares, rectangles, and rhombuses, which are all specific types of parallelograms with additional unique properties.
Characteristics of the Parallelogram
Sides opposite in a quadrilateral: are sides that do not have a common meeting point.
Adjacent sides in a quadrilateral: are sides that have a common meeting point.
Calculate the area of the parallelogram based on the data in the figure:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
It is not possible to calculate.
Practice more now
Basic Concepts on the Topic of the Parallelogram
Did you notice the quadrilateral that is formed at the intersection of 2 train tracks? What is it called? What are its characteristics? Let's take a look at the train tracks, why are train tracks 2 parallel tracks? For the train to not derail, there must be 2 tracks that always maintain the same distance apart. This is the definition of parallel lines that never meet because the distance between them is always equal. This is the definition of parallel lines that never meet because the distance between them is always equal. At the moment when 2 train tracks meet, a quadrilateral is formed between them, which has 2 pairs of opposite sides parallel, which is the parallelogram
Vertically opposite angles: 2 straight lines that cross each other to form 4 angles at their meeting point. The 2 non-adjacent angles are called vertices.
Corresponding angles between parallels: the line that crosses 2 parallel lines forms around each intersection point with each line 4 angles. Any pair of angles that are in the same position around the intersection points are called corresponding angles. When the lines are parallel, the corresponding angles are also equal
Alternate interior angles between parallels: each angle around an upper intersection point with the vertex to the corresponding angle around a second intersection point forms a pair of alternate angles. A hallmark: it is possible to look for angles in the shape of a Z in the cut of the straight lines. When the lines are parallel, the cut creates equal alternate angles.
Consecutive interior angles between parallels: any angle around an upper intersection point with the adjacent angle corresponding to that side around a second intersection point. The sum of the unilateral angles between parallels is 180o
So, what are the properties of this special quadrilateral called a parallelogram? Get a brief summary
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Test your knowledge
Question 1
A parallelogram has a length equal to 6 cm and a height equal to 4.5 cm.
Calculate the area of the parallelogram.
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
27
Question 2
Find the area of the parallelogram based on the data in the figure:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
It is not possible to calculate.
Question 3
Calculate the area of the parallelogram using the data in the figure:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
35
The opposite sides in a parallelogram are equal.
ABǁDC (by definition of the parallelogram). Therefore: angle A2=C1 (alternate angles between equal parallels)
ADǁBC (by the definition of parallels). Therefore: A1=C2 (alternate angles between equal parallels)
AC=AC (Common side) therefore it can be concluded that: ΔADC≅ΔCBA (according to the congruence theorem: angle, side, angle) For this: AB=DC,AD=BC congruent equals)
This congruence leads us to the following property:
The opposite angles at the vertex in a parallelogram are equal.
ΔADC≅ΔCBA (proven in the previous sentence)
Therefore:
AnglesB=D (corresponding angles in equal congruent triangles)
And also C1+C2=A1+A1 (sum of equal angles)
Therefore: Angles ∢A=∢C (sum of angles)
Do you know what the answer is?
Question 1
Calculate the area of the parallelogram using the data in the figure:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
It is not possible to calculate.
Question 2
Calculate the area of the parallelogram using the data in the figure:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
40
Question 3
Calculate the area of the parallelogram using the data in the figure:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
36
The diagonals in the parallelogram intersect
Let's demonstrate that:
AO=CO
BO=DO
To do this, we will superimpose the triangles: ΔAOB with ΔCOD
AB=DC Opposite sides are equal in a parallelogram
ABǁDC by the definition of the parallelogram
Therefore:
Angles B1=D1
Angles A1=C1
According to the theorem alternate angles between equal parallels, therefore:
To calculate thearea of a parallelogram we will draw a line from one of the vertices perpendicular to the opposite side.
Area of the parallelogram = base x height
Do you think you will be able to solve it?
Question 1
AB = 15 cm
The height of the rectangle is 6 cm.
Calculate the area of the parallelogram.
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
90
Question 2
Calculate the area of the following parallelogram:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
30 cm²
Question 3
AB = 10 cm
The height of the rectangle is 5 cm.
Calculate the area of the parallelogram.
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
50
Calculation of the Area of a Parallelogram Using Trigonometry
It is possible to calculate the area of a parallelogram even without height, using trigonometry: by multiplying 2 adjacent sides by the sine of the angle between them.
Sometimes, the fact that the diagonals divide the parallelogram into 4equilateral triangles, allows us through the use of the halves of the diagonals and the sine of the angle between them to find the area of the parallelogram. It is enough to find a single triangle and multiply it by 4.
Parallelogram Verification
What are the necessary conditions to prove that a quadrilateral is a parallelogram?
Definition: A quadrilateral that has 2 pairs of opposite sides parallel is called a parallelogram.
What are the additional theorems that allow us to determine without information that the opposite sides are parallel that the quadrilateral is a parallelogram?
Test your knowledge
Question 1
AB = 32 cm
The height of the rectangle is 15 cm.
Calculate the area of the parallelogram.
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
480
Question 2
ABCD is a parallelogram.
AH is the height.
DC = 6 AH = 3
What is the area of the parallelogram?
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
18 cm²
Question 3
Calculate the area of the parallelogram based on the data in the figure:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
It is not possible to calculate.
A quadrilateral where 2 pairs of opposite sides are equal is a parallelogram.
According to the figure
AB=DC
AD=BC
AC=AC This is a common side
It can be concluded:
ΔABC≅ΔCDA According to the congruence theorem: side, side, side
Therefore:
∢BAC=∢ACD
∢ACB=∢DAC
According to the theorem corresponding angles in congruent triangles are equal
Therefore:
ABǁDC
ADǁBC [when alternate angles are equal - the lines are parallel]
Therefore, ABCD is a parallelogram (2 pairs of opposite sides are parallel)
A quadrilateral where there are 2 pairs of equal opposite angles is a parallelogram.
We will mark:
Angles α=B=D
Angles β=A=C
The sum of the angles in a quadrilateral is 360o Therefore, the equation 2α+2β=360o is obtained Divide the equation by 2 and obtain: 180o=β+α
Therefore
ABǁDC
ADǁBC {when the sum of the angles on one side is 180o then they are parallel lines}
ABCD is a parallelogram (when there are 2 pairs of opposite sides parallel it is a parallelogram)
Do you know what the answer is?
Question 1
A parallelogram has a length equal to 6 cm and a height equal to 4.5 cm.
Calculate the area of the parallelogram.
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
27
Question 2
Find the area of the parallelogram based on the data in the figure:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
It is not possible to calculate.
Question 3
Calculate the area of the parallelogram using the data in the figure:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
35
A quadrilateral where the diagonals cross each other is a parallelogram.
When given:
AO=CO
BO=DO
And the angle trapped between them:
∢AOB=∢DOC (Vertically opposite angles are equal)
It can be concluded that: ΔABO≅ΔCOD (according to the congruence theorem: side, angle, side)
Therefore:
AB=CD (corresponding sides in congruent triangles are equal)
In the same way, we will superimpose ΔBOC with ΔAOD
BO=DO (corresponding sides in equal congruent triangles)
Therefore: ABCD is a parallelogram (a quadrilateral where the diagonals cross is a parallelogram)
Check your understanding
Question 1
Calculate the area of the parallelogram using the data in the figure:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
It is not possible to calculate.
Question 2
Calculate the area of the parallelogram using the data in the figure:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
40
Question 3
Calculate the area of the parallelogram using the data in the figure:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
36
Parallelogram Exercises
Exercise 1
Assignment
Given the quadrilateral ABCD
Given that:
∢D=95o
∢C=85o
Is it possible to determine if this quadrilateral is a parallelogram?
Solution
In fact, this quadrilateral is a parallelogram because two angles are adjacent
the same side, complementary to: 180o
Answer
Yes
Exercise 2
Assignment
Given the quadrilateral ABCD
Given that:
∢A=100o
∢C=80o
Is it possible to determine if this quadrilateral is a parallelogram?
Solution
In fact, this quadrilateral is a parallelogram because two angles are adjacent
the same side, complementary to: 180o
Answer
Yes
Do you think you will be able to solve it?
Question 1
Calculate the area of the parallelogram using the data in the figure:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
It is not possible to calculate.
Question 2
The parallelogram ABCD is shown below.
What type of angles are indicated in the figure?
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
Co-interior
Question 3
Calculate the area of the following parallelogram:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
60 cm²
Exercise 3
Assignment
Given the quadrilateral ABCD
such that:
∢A=100°,
And... ∢C=70°
Is it possible to determine if this quadrilateral is a parallelogram?
Solution:
The definition of a parallelogram is a quadrilateral with two pairs of parallel sides.
In this case, the quadrilateral is not a parallelogram because two adjacent angles on the same side do not add up to 180o degrees
Answer:
No
Exercise 4
Assignment
Given the quadrilateral ABCD
AB=20
CD=20
BD=8
AC=8
Is it possible to determine if this quadrilateral is a parallelogram?
Solution
In fact, this quadrilateral is a parallelogram because if in a quadrilateral two pairs of opposite sides are of the same length, then the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.
Answer
Yes
Test your knowledge
Question 1
AB = 15 cm
The height of the rectangle is 6 cm.
Calculate the area of the parallelogram.
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
90
Question 2
Calculate the area of the following parallelogram:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
30 cm²
Question 3
AB = 10 cm
The height of the rectangle is 5 cm.
Calculate the area of the parallelogram.
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
50
Exercise 5
Assignment
Given the quadrilateral ABCD
AF=4
FD=6
BF=2
FC=3
Is it possible to determine if this quadrilateral is a parallelogram?
Solution
This quadrilateral is not a parallelogram because a quadrilateral whose diagonals intersect is a parallelogram. In this case, the diagonals do not intersect each other.
Answer
No
Do you know what the answer is?
Question 1
AB = 32 cm
The height of the rectangle is 15 cm.
Calculate the area of the parallelogram.
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
480
Question 2
ABCD is a parallelogram.
AH is the height.
DC = 6 AH = 3
What is the area of the parallelogram?
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
18 cm²
Question 3
Calculate the area of the parallelogram based on the data in the figure:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
It is not possible to calculate.
Examples with solutions for Parallelogram
Exercise #1
Calculate the area of the following parallelogram:
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
To solve the exercise, we need to remember the formula for the area of a parallelogram:
Side * Height perpendicular to the side
In the diagram, although it's not presented in the way we're familiar with, we are given the two essential pieces of information:
Side = 6
Height = 5
Let's now substitute these values into the formula and calculate to get the answer:
6 * 5 = 30
Answer
30 cm²
Exercise #2
Below is a quadrilateral:
Is it possible that it is a parallelogram?
Step-by-Step Solution
According to the properties of the parallelogram: the diagonals intersect each other.
From the data in the drawing, it follows that diagonal AC and diagonal BD are divided into two equal parts, that is, the diagonals intersect each other:
AO=OC=8
DO=OB=10
Therefore, the quadrilateral is actually a parallelogram.
Answer
Yes
Exercise #3
Below is a quadrilateral:
Is it possible that it is a parallelogram?
Step-by-Step Solution
Let's review the property: a quadrilateral in which two pairs of opposite angles are equal is a parallelogram.
From the data in the drawing, it follows that:
D=B=60
A=C=120
Therefore, the quadrilateral is actually a parallelogram.
Answer
Yes
Exercise #4
Below is a quadrilateral:
Is it possible that it is a parallelogram?
Step-by-Step Solution
According to the properties of a parallelogram, any two opposite sides will be equal to each other.
From the data, it can be observed that only one pair of opposite sides are equal and therefore the quadrilateral is not a parallelogram.
Answer
No
Exercise #5
Calculate the area of the parallelogram according to the data in the diagram.
Video Solution
Step-by-Step Solution
We know that ABCD is a parallelogram. According to the properties of parallelograms, each pair of opposite sides are equal and parallel.
Therefore: CD=AB=10
We will calculate the area of the parallelogram using the formula of side multiplied by the height drawn from that side, so the area of the parallelogram is equal to: