Calculate Side Length AB in a Parallelogram with Area 156 cm² and Height 12

Parallelogram Area with Given Height

Look at the parallelogram of the figure.

Its area is equal to 156 cm².

Calculate AB.

121212AAABBBCCCDDDE

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Find AB
00:03 We'll use the formula for calculating the area of a parallelogram
00:06 Side(DC) multiplied by height (BE)
00:19 We'll substitute appropriate values and solve for DC
00:35 And this is the length of side DC
00:40 Opposite sides are equal in a parallelogram
00:48 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Look at the parallelogram of the figure.

Its area is equal to 156 cm².

Calculate AB.

121212AAABBBCCCDDDE

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the given information.
  • Step 2: Apply the formula for the area of a parallelogram.
  • Step 3: Calculate the required side AB AB .

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: We know that the area of the parallelogram is 156cm2 156 \, \text{cm}^2 , and the height is 12cm 12 \, \text{cm} .

Step 2: The formula for the area of a parallelogram is:
Area=base×height \text{Area} = \text{base} \times \text{height}

Step 3: Substituting the given values into the formula, we have:
156=AB×12 156 = AB \times 12

To find AB AB , rearrange the equation to solve for AB AB :
AB=15612 AB = \frac{156}{12}

Calculating this, we find:
AB=13 AB = 13

Therefore, the length of AB AB is 13cm 13 \, \text{cm} , which corresponds to choice 2.

3

Final Answer

13 13 cm

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Formula: Area = base × height for all parallelograms
  • Technique: Rearrange to find base: AB=15612=13 AB = \frac{156}{12} = 13 cm
  • Check: Verify: 13 × 12 = 156 cm² matches given area ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Confusing which measurement is the height
    Don't use the slanted side as height = wrong area calculation! The height must be perpendicular to the base, not the diagonal slanted side. Always identify the perpendicular distance between parallel sides as your height.

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 side is the base and which is the height?

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The base can be any side of the parallelogram, but the height must be the perpendicular distance to the opposite parallel side. In this diagram, the dashed line shows the height is 12 cm.

Why isn't the slanted side the height?

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The slanted side is longer than the actual height! Height is always the shortest distance between two parallel sides, which is measured at a right angle.

Can I use a different side as the base?

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Yes! You could use side AD or BC as the base instead. But then you'd need the perpendicular height to that base, which would be different from 12 cm.

What if I get a decimal answer?

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That's fine! Many real-world measurements result in decimals. Just make sure to check your division and round appropriately if needed.

How can I double-check my answer?

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Multiply your answer by the height: 13×12=156 13 \times 12 = 156 . If this equals the given area, you're correct!

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