Parallelogram: Math Basics

Parallelogram is yet another one of those unique geometric shapes with distinct properties. Essentially, it is a quadrilateral where the opposite sides are equal in length and parallel to each other. The opposite angles are also equal to each other.

1. The opposite sides are equal (or congruent).
2. The opposite angles are equal (or congruent).
3. If one angle of a parallelogram is a right angle, then all other angles are a right angle.
4. Consecutive angles are supplementary i.e they add up to 180^o.
5. The diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other.
6. The diagonal of a parallelogram separates it into two congruent triangles.

To calculate the area of a parallelogram, you just have to multiply the base into the height of the figure.

So, area of a parallelogram=base x height

To find out the perimeter, you have to simply add the base and length of the side with 2.

So, perimeter of a parallelogram=2(base + length of the side)

The interesting thing to note is that squares, rectangles and rhombuses are all parallelograms.

Attempt a few practice questions to test your preparation.