Formula
The area averages the parallel sides and multiplies by the height:
Area = (base one + base two) / 2 × height
A rectangle, triangle, circle, and regular polygon each have their own page.
Assumptions
- The bases are the two parallel sides.
- The height is perpendicular to those bases.
Worked example
Bases of 6 and 10 with height 4 have area 32.
Input definitions
- Bases
- The two parallel sides.
- Height
- The perpendicular distance between the bases.
Limitations
Results are rounded for display. This is a classroom calculation, not a measurement from a lab or a financial filing.
Questions
Is this a rectangle?
No. Use the rectangle calculator when both pairs of sides match.
What if the bases are equal?
The shape is a rectangle or parallelogram of that width, and the same formula still applies.