The quadrilateral classification encompasses many different types of four-sided polygons. One special type is the parallelogram, which is the result of two pairs of parallel sides. A parallelogram's altitude is the perpendicular distance between its base sides, which can be either set of parallel sides. The altitude is a key measurement in calculating the area of the parallelogram. You can find a parallelogram's altitude by working the area formula, where area equals altitude * base side length, in reverse.
Instructions
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1
Obtain the area of the parallelogram. For this example, let the parallelogram's area be 100 square inches.
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2
Select a side to be the one of the base sides of the parallelogram and measure it. In this example, the selected base side equals 10 inches.
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3
Divide the area by the base side measurement. Concluding this example, dividing 100 square inches by 10 inches results in 10 inches. The altitude between the selected base sides equals 10 inches.