Question

What is the area of parallelogram RSTU?

Answer 1

First, we circumscribe a rectangle about the parallelogram as shown in the figure. The size of this rectangle is 10 by 6 clearly.

Between the rectangle and the parallelogram 4 triangles are formed, 2 by 2 congruent. We are going to remove the area of these 4 triangles from 60 (the area of the rectangle) and thus get the area of the parallelogram.

Note that one of the triangles has side lengths 4; 4. Thus, the area of this triangle is (4*4)/2=16/2=8 (square units.)

Each of the other two non-congruent triangles to the above have sides of length 6;2, so the area of each is (6*2)/2 =6 (square units.)


Thus, the area of the parallelogram is 60-8-8-6-6=60-16-12=60-28=32 (square units.)


Answer: 32 (square units.)

Answer 2

I took the test it is 32 square units!! Hope this helps