Area of Triangles and Parallelograms for Kids: Base Times Height (Grade 6 Math)

Hi, I'm Luna from DoodleBeez. Today we are finding the area of parallelograms and triangles. Area is the space inside a flat shape, and we measure it in square units, like square centimeters.

Let's start with a rectangle. Area equals base times height. A rectangle with a base of six centimeters and a height of four centimeters has an area of twenty four square centimeters.

A parallelogram is like a slanted rectangle. Cut off the triangle on one end and slide it to the other side. Now it is a rectangle! So the area of a parallelogram is also base times height.

Careful! The height is the straight up distance, at a right angle to the base, not the slanted side. A parallelogram with a base of ten meters and a height of five meters has an area of fifty square meters.

Now triangles. Two identical triangles fit together to make a parallelogram. So a triangle is exactly half of a parallelogram. The area of a triangle is base times height, divided by two.

Let's try one. A triangle has a base of eight centimeters and a height of five centimeters. Eight times five is forty. Half of forty is twenty. So the area is twenty square centimeters.

Now it's your turn. A triangle has a base of twelve meters and a height of seven meters. Find its area. Pause and try. Twelve times seven is eighty four. Half of eighty four is forty two square meters.

Great job! Remember, a parallelogram is base times height, a triangle is base times height divided by two, and always use the straight up height. Practice area in Middle School Math at doodlebeez.com. See you next time!