Calculate Length DF in Parallelogram ABCD: Given AB=12cm, ED=8cm, BC=10cm

Parallelogram Area with Multiple Heights

Look at the parallelogram ABCD.

AB = 12 cm

ED = 8 cm

BC = 10 cm

Calculate the length of DF.

121212101010888AAABBBCCCDDDFFFEEE

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Find DF
00:04 We'll use the formula to calculate the area of a parallelogram
00:07 Side(AB) multiplied by height (DE)
00:11 We'll substitute appropriate values and solve to find the area
00:20 This is the area of the parallelogram
00:23 Now we want to calculate the area using the second height
00:27 We'll use the formula again to calculate the area with height DF
00:30 We'll substitute appropriate values and solve to find DF
00:53 And this is the solution to the problem

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Look at the parallelogram ABCD.

AB = 12 cm

ED = 8 cm

BC = 10 cm

Calculate the length of DF.

121212101010888AAABBBCCCDDDFFFEEE

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve for the length of DFDF, let's consider both ways of calculating the area of parallelogram ABCDABCD:

  • Step 1: Calculate area using base ABAB:
    Area=AB×ED=12×8=96 \text{Area} = AB \times ED = 12 \times 8 = 96 square cm.
  • Step 2: Calculate area using base BCBC:
    Area=BC×DF=10×DF \text{Area} = BC \times DF = 10 \times DF .
  • Equate 96 to 10×DF10 \times DF:
    10×DF=96 10 \times DF = 96 .
  • Step 3: Solve for DFDF by dividing by 10:
    DF=9610=9.6 DF = \frac{96}{10} = 9.6 cm.

Therefore, the length of DFDF is 9.69.6 cm.

Hence, the correct answer is choice 4, which is 9.69.6 cm.

3

Final Answer

9.6 9.6 cm

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Area Formula: Parallelogram area equals base times corresponding height
  • Technique: Set AB×ED=BC×DF AB \times ED = BC \times DF to find unknown height
  • Check: Verify 12×8=10×9.6=96 12 \times 8 = 10 \times 9.6 = 96 square cm ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Using incorrect base-height pairs
    Don't pair AB with DF or BC with ED = wrong calculation! Heights must be perpendicular to their corresponding bases. Always match each base with its perpendicular height: AB goes with ED, and BC goes with DF.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

A parallelogram has a length equal to 6 cm and a height equal to 4.5 cm.

Calculate the area of the parallelogram.

6664.54.54.5

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How do I know which height goes with which base?

+

The height must be perpendicular to its base. In this diagram, ED is perpendicular to AB, and DF is perpendicular to BC. Look for the right angle symbols to identify correct pairs!

Why can I calculate the same area two different ways?

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A parallelogram has a fixed area regardless of which base you choose! This property lets us set up the equation: base1×height1=base2×height2 \text{base}_1 \times \text{height}_1 = \text{base}_2 \times \text{height}_2

What if I get a decimal answer?

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Decimal answers are completely normal in geometry! 9.6 9.6 cm is exact and correct. Always check your division: 9610=9.6 \frac{96}{10} = 9.6

Can I use any two sides as bases?

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Yes! In a parallelogram, you can use any side as a base, but you must use the height that's perpendicular to that specific base. Each base has its own corresponding height.

How do I verify my answer is correct?

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Substitute back: BC×DF=10×9.6=96 BC \times DF = 10 \times 9.6 = 96 square cm. This should equal AB×ED=12×8=96 AB \times ED = 12 \times 8 = 96 square cm. Same area = correct answer!

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