Practice Set · Part 1
Determine the Area of Parallelograms and Rhombuses
Pick up where we left off
Where we left off
Our goal: I can find the area of a parallelogram using base × height, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before.
The big idea: Area of a parallelogram = base × height, where the height is the straight-up (perpendicular) distance, NOT the slanted side — and you can say why it is true, and where it would stop being true.
Model to copy — Watch me
- I have a parallelogram with a base of 14 feet and a height of 9 feet.
- I write the formula: A = base × height.
- I put in the numbers: A = 14 × 9.
- I multiply: 14 × 9 = 126.
- So the area is 126 square feet. I used the height of 9, not the slanted side.
Start here
You did these with your group. Now do them on your own — the model above is yours to copy.
- 1
Same stepsFinish what the group started. Use the model above, step for step.
Try it together — then prove it: Now a smaller parallelogram: base = 5 cm, height = 4 cm. What is the formula? A = base × height. What do we put in? A = 5 × 4. What is 5 × 4? Yes, 20, so the area is 20 square centimeters. Now prove it: say why that move had to work at all — not just that it did.Show your work - 2
Warm restartA bus travels 45 miles each hour. Which equation gives the distance d after h hours?
- Ad = 45h
- Bd = 45 + h
- Cd = h ÷ 45
- Dd = 45 − h
How do you know?
- 3
Warm restartUsing d = 45h, how far does the bus travel in 6 hours?
- A270 miles
- B51 miles
- C7.5 miles
- D45 miles
How do you know?
- 4
Warm restartA table shows x = 1, 2, 3 with y = 6, 12, 18. Which equation fits?
- Ay = 6x
- By = x + 5
- Cy = x + 6
- Dy = 6 + x
How do you know?
Practice Set · Part 2
Determine the Area of Parallelograms and Rhombuses
Keep going
You answered these out loud. Now write them.
Answer, then say how you know — the reason is the part that counts.
- 5
Think it throughWhat is the area of the parallelogram courtyard?
- A180 sq ft
- B28 sq ft
- C90 sq ft
- D56 sq ft
Why is that the answer?
- 6
Think it throughHow many tiles does the architect need?
- A90
- B180
- C360
- D45
How do you know? Give a second reason as well.
- 7
Think it throughWhy use the height instead of the slanted side length?
- ABecause area needs the perpendicular distance between the two bases
- BBecause the slanted side is always longer
- CBecause parallelograms have no height
- DBecause the base is on the bottom
Explain your thinking. What would have to change for a different choice to be right?
- 8
Back to the modelIf you cut a triangle from one side of the parallelogram and move it to the other side, what shape do you get? How does this help you find the area?
Practice Set · Part 3
Determine the Area of Parallelograms and Rhombuses
Words and reasoning
Word bank · Banco de palabras
Use the words
Fill each blank with a word from the bank.
- The space inside a parallelogram, found with A = b × h, is the ___.
- The leaning side of a parallelogram, which is NOT the height, is the ___.
- A quadrilateral with two pairs of parallel sides is a ___.
- Two sides that stay the same distance apart and never meet are ___.
Explain the thinking
- 9
Find the mistakeAnother student made this exact mistake in this lesson. Explain why it is wrong, then write what they should have done.
The mistake: The most common mistake in Area of Parallelograms is multiplying the base by the slanted side instead of the perpendicular height. - 10
Say moreOn the grid you cut a triangle off one end of the parallelogram and slid it to the other side. What shape did you make, and why does that prove the area is base x height?
- 11
Write your ownWrite your own problem about this situation, then solve it and show the answer. The situation: The Dockland building in Hamburg, Germany, is built in the shape of a parallelogram leaning over the water.
Show your work
Practice Set · Part 4
Determine the Area of Parallelograms and Rhombuses
Show what you know
Last check
These two come from Lesson 4.5. If they are shaky, that is the lesson to revisit — not this one.
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Show what you knowExplain your thinking — A parallelogram has a base of 13 inches and a height of 5 inches. What is its area?
- A65 sq in
- B36 sq in
- C18 sq in
- D65 in
Explain your choice.
- 13
From Lesson 4.5Explain your thinking — A sweater's sale price is $42, which is 60% of the original price. What was the original price?
- A$70, because 42 ÷ 0.6 = 70
- B$25.20, because 0.6 × 42 = 25.20
- C$102, because 42 + 60 = 102
- D$60, because the percent is 60
How do you know?
- 14
From Lesson 4.5If the percent given is less than 100%, the whole must be…
- ALarger than the part
- BSmaller than the part
- CEqual to the part
- DImpossible to find
How do you know?
Be honest — this tells your teacher what to do next
| I can… | Not yet | Getting there | Got it |
|---|---|---|---|
| I can find the area of a parallelogram using base × height, explain why the method works, and use it on a problem I have not seen before. | |||
| I can explain why it works: Area of a parallelogram = base × height, where the height is the straight-up (perpendicular) distance… | |||
| I can justify my answer to a skeptic and connect it to a second strategy or representation. |
One question I want to ask my group next time