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Question 1199552:  I've been trying to use the same formula that I use to find the area of a triangle but it is not giving me the correct answer.
 
Find the area of the parallelogram with the following vertices:
 
 
11. (-2, 3), (5, 8), (3, 3), and (0, 8)
 
A. 16 sq units 
B. 20 sq units 
C. 34 sq units 
D. 18 sq units 
E. 25 sq units 
F. 36 sq units
 
 
12. (-2, 7), (-4, 4), (-11, 4), and (-9, 7)
 
A. 15 sq units 
B. 63 sq units 
C. 28 sq units 
D. 21 sq units 
E. 36 sq units 
F. 14 sq units 
 
 Found 2 solutions by  Alan3354, ikleyn: Answer by Alan3354(69443)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! Find the area of the parallelogram with the following vertices:
 
 
11. A(-2,3), B(5,8), C(3,3), and D(0,8) 
 A   D   B   C   A
-2   0   5   3  -2
 3   8   8   3   3
  
Add the diagonal products starting upper left 
-2*8 + 0*8 + 5*3 + 3*3 = -16+15+9 = 8 
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Add the diagonal products starting lower left 
3*0 + 8*5 + 8*3 + 3*-2 = 0+40+24-6 = 58 
The difference is 50. 
The area is 1/2 that, = 25 sq units. 
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This works for all convex polygons, but the points have to be in order around the perimeter.  Notice it's A, D, B, C 
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12. A(-2,7), B(-4,4), C(-11,4), and D(-9,7)
 
A. 15 sq units 
B. 63 sq units 
C. 28 sq units 
D. 21 sq units 
E. 36 sq units 
F. 14 sq units 
 
 Answer by ikleyn(52903)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! .
 
 
                                Part   (a) 
 
 
 
If you draw the given points in a coordinate plane, you will see
 
 
(even with unarmed eye)  that one pair of sides is horizontal   (y = 3   and   y = 8)  of the length of  5  units, 
 
 
while the height of the parallelogram (the distance between its parallel horizontal sides)  is  8 - 3 = 5  units.
 
 
It gives the area   5*5 = 25  square units.
 
 
 
In part  (b),  the same reasoning does work,  allowing you to get the answer  MENTALLY.
 
 
 
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At the beginning of your post you write
 
 
        " I've been trying to use the same formula that I use to find 
 
        the area of a triangle but it is not giving me the correct answer. "
 
 
 
It is not surprising,  because you have no any reason to use  
" the same "   formula for totally different problem.
 
 
It is like jumping off a tower upside down into a swimming pool with no water.
 
 
 
In opposite,  it would be surprising if this formula would work.
 
 
 
 
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