March 15: How do we find the area of parallelograms, kites, and trapezoids ? (AIM)

Aim: How do we find the area of parallelograms, kites, and trapezoids ?

• The area of a shape is the amount of space inside the boundary of a flat (2-dimensional) object. 

• Here's a video link that can help you understand it more:  http://www.brainpop.com/math/geometryandmeasurement/areaofpolygons/

• On that link you can watch the video, try the activity, take a quiz on it, & etc. But I will still try to explain it here. 

• The area for a parallelogram is probably the easiest. Just because you only have to multiply length and height (l x w). But there is an easier way to look at it. 

 

• Now the area of a kite is very different. You have to multiply the 2 diagonals and then divide that by 2. ((d1 x d2) / 2)

 

• The area for a trapezoid is kind of similar to the kite's, but instead of diagonals there are bases & a hieght. In this case you add the 2 bases and then multiply that by the half of the height. 

 

• So after all this wonderful information, try this problem here !

 

Sources Cited:

1. http://savannahsmathblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/area-and-volume.html 
2. http://www.k6-geometric-shapes.com/kite-shape.html
3. http://www.algebra-class.com/area-formula.html
4. John Schnatterly AKA -->  http://johnschnatterly.blogspot.com/