1. Finding Area of Triangles and Parallelograms
The Rectangle Method
Finding Area of Triangles and Parallelograms

2. A 30 Second Look-See Find something in the room shaped like:
a hexagonal prism
a cylinder
a quadrangle
a cube
A 30 Second Look-See

3. Math Journal page 315 Read the top of page 315
Your job will be to think of ways to find the areas of the triangles – I am not interested in the answer.
I am interested in the methods you
and your partner discover.
Math Journal page 315

4. This is called the rectangle method because rectangles are used to surround the figure or parts of the figure. All of the areas that are calculated are either areas of rectangles or of triangular halves of rectangular regions.
Rectangle Method

5. Add the Parts

6. Split this triangle up into two different triangles, both with right angles, count the units that cover each and find the sum of the two parts.

7. 12 units
3 units
Split this triangle up into two different triangles, both with right angles, count the units that cover each and find the sum of the two parts.

8. 12 units
3 units
3 units + 12 units = 15 units

9. Using the rectangle method, draw a rectangle around each of these triangles.

10. What observation can you make about these shapes and the shaded regions?

11. These triangles and ½ of the area of the rectangle
These triangles and ½ of the area of the rectangle. How will this information help us to find the area of the triangles?

12. 12 units
3 units
These triangles and ½ of the area of the rectangle. How will this information help us to find the area of the triangles?

13. Find the area of this triangle with your table.

14. Find the area of this triangle with your table.

15. Find the area of each rectangle by multiplying the base x height.
9 units
15 units
Find the area of each rectangle by multiplying the base x height.

16. 9 ÷ 2 =
4 ½ units
15 ÷ 2 =
7 ½ units
To find the area of the triangles divide the area of the rectangles by 2 or find the value of ½ the rectangle.

17. 4 ½ units
7 ½ units
4 ½ + 7 ½ = 12 units

18. Review your work Return to page 315.
Find the area of triangle #1 by splitting the triangle into two right triangles. Use the add the parts method to find the area of the complete triangle.
Review your work

19. To find the area, draw two right angles around the triangle to create a rectangle.

20. Find the area of the yellow and blue triangles
Find the area of the yellow and blue triangles. Use the rectangle method mentally.

21. 7 ½ units
5 units
Find the area of the yellow and blue triangles. Use the rectangle method mentally.

22. The sum of the yellow and blue triangles is 12 ½ units.

23. To find the area of the red triangle, find the area of the rectangle and subtract the 12 ½ units of the blue and yellow triangles.
The difference will be the area of the red triangle.

24. 15 units – 12 ½ units = 2 ½ units.
If the yellow triangle is 7 ½ units , and the blue triangle is 5 units, does it make sense that the red triangle is 2 ½ units?

25. Review your work

26. Area of a Parallelogram

27. Use what you know to determine a strategy to find the area of this shape.

28. Determine the areas of the three shapes and add the parts.

29. Determine the areas of the three shapes and add the parts.
1 x 6 = 6
6 ÷ 2 = 3
= 3 units
Determine the areas of the three shapes and add the parts.

30. Determine the areas of the three shapes and add the parts.
1 x 6 = 6
6 ÷ 2 = 3
= 3 units
Determine the areas of the three shapes and add the parts.

31. Determine the areas of the three shapes and add the parts.
6 x 4 = 24 units
Determine the areas of the three shapes and add the parts.

32. 24 units
= 3 units
= 3 units
= 30 units

33. Review your work Return to page 315.
Find the area of triangle #3 by splitting the parallelogram into two right triangles and a rectangle. Use the add the parts method to find the area of the complete parallelogram.
Review your work

34. Practice with a Partner
Math Journal page 316
Practice with a Partner

35. Math Sheet p. 126
Practice on Your Own