Use the area of a parallelogram formula to calculate unknown measurements
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use the area of a parallelogram formula to calculate unknown measurements.
Key learning points
- The area of a parallelogram is equal to its base multiplied by its perpendicular height.
- If the area of a parallelogram is known, division can be used to determine a missing base or perpendicular height.
Keywords
Parallelogram - A parallelogram is a quadrilateral with two pairs of parallel and equal sides.
Base - The base is the side which is perpendicular to the shape’s height.
Perpendicular - Two lines are perpendicular if they meet at a right angle.
Common misconception
Pupils highly familiar with finding the area of a rectangle by multiplying its side lengths might overgeneralise and multiply the base by a side length rather than by the perpendicular height.
Some 'red herring' examples are given in the Practice questions where the side length is given unnecessarily. You may wish to make an extra teaching point of how this is superfluous. Remind pupils of the formula, which does not include side lengths.
Teacher tip
The application of the formula for the area of a parallelogram within the lesson includes a range of values to allow for revision of multiplication of larger integers and decimals. Consider how you may wish to adapt this for some learners to continue to focus on application of the formula.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A parallelogram has pairs of equal side lengths.
Q2.What is the inverse of multiplication?
Q3.108 ÷ 12 =
Q4.What is the formula for the area of a parallelogram? Write the missing word.
Area = __________ × perpendicular height.
Q5.What is the area of the parallelogram? cm².
Q6.A parallelogram has a base length of 7 cm and a perpendicular height of 6 cm. What is the area of the parallelogram? cm².
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.If the area of a parallelogram is known, what formula could be used to work out the missing perpendicular height?
Q2.If the area of a parallelogram is known, what formula could be used to work out the missing base?
Q3.If the parallelogram has an area of 60 cm², what is the missing base? cm.
Q4.If the parallelogram has an area of 240 cm², what is the missing perpendicular height? cm.
Q5.If a parallelogram has an area of 48 cm² and a base of 8 cm, what is the missing perpendicular height? cm.
Q6.If a parallelogram has an area of 48 cm² and a perpendicular height of 12 cm, what is the missing base? cm.
To help you plan your 6 maths lesson on: Use the area of a parallelogram formula to calculate unknown measurements, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 maths lesson on: Use the area of a parallelogram formula to calculate unknown measurements, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 maths lessons from the Area, perimeter, position and direction unit, dive into the full primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.