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Geometry & MeasuresIntroduction

Shapes with Parallel Sides

Part of Area of Parallelograms & Trapeziums — GCSE Mathematics

This introduction covers Shapes with Parallel Sides within Area of Parallelograms & Trapeziums for GCSE Mathematics. Revise Area of Parallelograms & Trapeziums in Geometry & Measures for GCSE Mathematics with 11 exam-style questions and 4 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 1 of 7 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 1 of 7

Practice

11 questions

Recall

4 flashcards

Shapes with Parallel Sides

A parallelogram is like a "pushed over" rectangle - imagine pushing the top of a rectangle sideways. A trapezium has just ONE pair of parallel sides. Both are common in real life - roof sections, road signs, and sloped surfaces!

Visual: Parallelogram & Trapezium Areas

Diagram showing parallelogram area formula (base × height) and trapezium area formula (½(a+b) × height), with perpendicular heights clearly marked at 90°

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Area of Parallelograms & Trapeziums. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

The Key FormulasMemory Trick for TrapeziumWorked Example 1: Parallelogram

Practice Questions for Area of Parallelograms & Trapeziums

A parallelogram has base b and perpendicular height h. Which formula gives its area?

  • A. (1/2) × b × h
  • B. b × h
  • C. 2(b + h)
  • D. (1/2)(b + h) × s
1 markfoundation

Explain why the area formula for a parallelogram is the same as the area formula for a rectangle.

2 markshigher

Quick Recall Flashcards

Trapezium Area
Area = ½ × (sum of parallel sides) × height = ½(a + b)h
Area of Trapezium
½ × (a + b) × h where a,b are parallel sides

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The Key Formulas