Use the area of a parallelogram formula to calculate unknown measurements
I can use the area of a parallelogram formula to calculate unknown measurements.
Use the area of a parallelogram formula to calculate unknown measurements
I can use the area of a parallelogram formula to calculate unknown measurements.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
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.
To help you plan your year 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 year 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 secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions

Exit quiz
6 Questions

