A parallelogram is a special case of a trapezoid, formed by either two pairs of parallel sides or one pair of parallel sides that are equal in length. In addition to inheriting all the properties of a trapezoid, a parallelogram also possesses distinct characteristics such as two congruent angles and diagonals intersecting at their midpoints. If you're uncertain about the formula for calculating the perimeter of a parallelogram, refer to the following article for guidance.
Method for finding the perimeter of a parallelogram
If you're still unclear about parallelograms, you can refer to this Wikipedia article on parallelograms.
Formula for calculating the perimeter of a parallelogram
Let's consider a parallelogram ABCD as shown in the diagram.
1. Formula for calculating the perimeter of a parallelogram
Because a parallelogram has 2 pairs of parallel and equal sides, its perimeter is twice the sum of two adjacent sides, given by the formula
The method to find the perimeter of a parallelogram is to sum up two adjacent sides twice or the total of all four sides of the rhombus.
C = 2 x (a + b)
Where:
- C: Perimeter.
- a, b: Two adjacent sides of the parallelogram.
2. Illustrative examples of calculating the perimeter of a parallelogram
Example 1: Calculate the perimeter of parallelogram ABCD given AB = 7cm, BC = 5cm
Solution: Applying the formula for the perimeter of a parallelogram, we get
Example 2: Given parallelogram ABCD with a perimeter of 26cm and side a of parallelogram ABCD = 6cm. Calculate side b of the parallelogram.
Solution
The perimeter of a parallelogram is C = 2 x (a + b)
=> b = C/2 - a = 26/2 - 6 = 7cm.
Answer: The side length b of the parallelogram is 7cm.
3. Mnemonic method for remembering the formula for the perimeter of a parallelogram
To memorize the formula and apply it proficiently in exercises, in addition to regular practice, you can remember the following formula trick:
4. Tips for tackling parallelogram perimeter problems
- Pay attention to the units used in the problem. Convert them into a single unit for efficient and accurate problem-solving.
- After solving the problem, remember to record the obtained answer.
Above is the guide on how to calculate the perimeter of a parallelogram, an easy-to-remember formula because a parallelogram is a special shape, isn't it? With this article, we hope that students can apply the formula for finding the perimeter of a parallelogram to real-life problems.
A rectangle is a special parallelogram where its adjacent sides are perpendicular to each other. You can see that the formula for calculating the perimeter of a rectangle is similar to the formula for calculating the perimeter of a parallelogram.
If you're currently studying circles, check out this article on Formula for calculating the area of a circle.