4 Areas of Polygons

4.1 Areas of Parallelograms

4.2 Areas of Triangles
4.3 Areas of Trapezoids
4.4 Polygons in the Coordinate Plane

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What You
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Finding Areas of Squares “To
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and Rectangles ([Link].1.3) ht’ or
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Example 1 Find the area of the square or rectangle. idth’ es
?”

a. b.
15 cm 8 ft

15 cm
13 ft

A = s2 Write formula. A = ℓw
2
= 15 Substitute. = 13(8)
= 225 Simplify. = 104

The area of the square The area of the rectangle

is 225 square centimeters. is 104 square feet.

Find the area of the square or rectangle.

1. 2. 3. 65 mm
7m 9 yd

7m 20 yd 90 mm

Plotting Ordered Pairs (MACC.5.G.1.1)

Example 2 Plot (2, 3) in a coordinate plane. y
5
Start at the origin. Move 2 units right and 3 units up. 4
(2, 3)
Then plot the point. 3
2
3
1
2
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 x

Plot the ordered pair in a coordinate plane.

4. (1, 4) 5. (3, 2) 6. (5, 1)
 4.1 Areas of Parallelograms

How can you derive a formula for the area of

a parallelogram?

A polygon is a closed figure in a plane that is made up of three

or more line segments that intersect only at their endpoints.
Several examples of polygons are parallelograms, triangles,
and trapezoids.
The formulas for the areas of polygons can be derived from
one area formula, the area of a rectangle. Recall that the area
of a rectangle is the product of its lengthℓand its width w.
The process you use to derive these other formulas is called w
deductive reasoning.
Area â w
Rectangle Parallelogram Triangle Trapezoid

Derive Derive Derive

Defined
formula. formula. formula.
Grades 4 and 5 Lesson 4.1 Lesson 4.2 Lesson 4.3

1 ACTIVITY: Deriving the Area Formula of a Parallelogram

Work with a partner.
a. Draw any rectangle on a piece of grid paper. An example is shown below.
Label the length and width. Then find the area of your rectangle.

Derive! Not
so much to
memorize.

COMMON
CORE width â w
Geometry
In this lesson, you will
● find areas of

parallelograms.
● solve real-life problems. right angle length â


Learning Standard
MACC.6.G.1.1
b. Cut your rectangle into two pieces to form a parallelogram. Compare the
area of the rectangle with the area of the parallelogram. What do you notice?
Use your results to write a formula for the area A of a parallelogram.
A= Formula

152 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons

 2 ACTIVITY: Finding Areas of Parallelograms
Work with a partner.
Math
Practice
Use
Assumptions
How are rectangles
and parallelograms
similar? How can
you use this
information to
solve the problem?

a. Find the area of each parallelogram by cutting it into two pieces to form
a rectangle.
b. Use the formula you wrote in Activity 1 to find the area of each
parallelogram. Compare your answers to those in part (a).
c. Count unit squares for each parallelogram to check your results.

3. IN YOUR OWN WORDS How can you derive a formula for the area
of a parallelogram?
4. REASONING The areas of a rectangle and a parallelogram are equal.
The length of a rectangle is equal to the base of the parallelogram.
What can you say about the width of the rectangle and the height of
the parallelogram? Draw a diagram to support your answer.
5. What is the height of the parallelogram shown? How do you know?

Use what you learned about the areas of parallelograms to complete

Exercises 3–5 on page 156.

Section 4.1 Areas of Parallelograms 153

4.1 Lesson
Lesson Tutorials

The area of a polygon is the amount of surface it covers. You can find the
area of a parallelogram in much the same way as you can find the area of
Key Vocabulary
a rectangle.
polygon, p. 152

Area of a Parallelogram
Words The area A of a parallelogram is the
h
product of its base b and its height h.
Algebra A = bh b

EXAMPLE 1 Finding Areas of Parallelograms

Find the area of each parallelogram.
a. b.

14 m 1
8 ft
2

12 m 4 ft

Remember
Area is measured in
A = bh Write formula. A = bh
square units.
1
= 12(14) Substitute values. = 8 —(4)
2
= 168 Multiply. = 34

The area of the The area of the

parallelogram is parallelogram is
168 square meters. 34 square feet.

Find the area of the parallelogram.

Exercises 3–8 1. 2. 3.

20.5 yd
25 m 18 in.
30 yd

20 m 7 in.

154 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons

 EXAMPLE 2 Finding the Area of a Parallelogram on a Grid
Find the area of the parallelogram.
Count grid lines to find the dimensions. 2
The base b is 2 units, and the height h is 5 units.
A = bh Write formula.
5
= 2(5) Substitute values.
= 10 Multiply.

The area of the parallelogram is 10 square units.

4. Find the area of the parallelogram.

Exercises 11–13

EXAMPLE 3 Real-Life Application

You make a photo prop for a school fair. You cut a 10-inch square out
4 ft of a parallelogram-shaped piece of wood. What is the area of the
photo prop?
10 in.
Convert the dimensions of the piece of wood to inches.

⋅
There are 12 inches in 1 foot, so the base is 4 12 = 48 inches and the
⋅
height is 8 12 = 96 inches.
Use a verbal model to solve the problem.
8 ft
area of photo prop = area of wood − area of square
= 96(48) − 102 Substitute.
= 96(48) − 100 Evaluate 102.
= 4608 − 100 Multiply 96 and 48.
= 4508 Subtract 100 from 4608.

The area of the photo prop is 4508 square inches.

5. Find the area of the shaded region.

Exercises 14–16
6. WHAT IF? In Example 3, you cut a 3 ft 5 ft
12-inch square out of the piece of
wood. What is the area of the 1 ft
photo prop? 7 ft

Section 4.1 Areas of Parallelograms 155

4.1 Exercises
Help with Homework

1. WRITING What is the area of a polygon? Explain how the perimeter and the area
of the polygon are different.
2. CHOOSE TOOLS Construct a parallelogram that has an area of 24 square inches.
Explain your method.

6)=3
9+(- 3)=
3+(- 9)=
4+(- =
1)
9+(-

Find the area of the parallelogram.

1 3. 6 ft 4. 5.

3 ft 11 km
42 mm

17 km

20 mm

6. 7. 8.
32 mi
75 cm 50 cm
18 in. 19 in.
24 mi

13.5 in. 1
37 mi
4

9. ERROR ANALYSIS Describe and

correct the error in finding the
area of the parallelogram. ✗ 15 m 13 m
A = 8(15)
= 120 m2

8m

10. CERAMIC TILE A ceramic tile in the shape of a parallelogram has a base
of 4 inches and a height of 1.5 inches. What is the area of the tile?

Find the area of the parallelogram.

2 11. 12. 13.

156 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons

 Find the area of the shaded region.
3 14. 15. 16.
2 cm
8 ft 13 ft
7 cm 3 cm 12 m 12 ft
6m
6 ft
10 cm 4m 12 ft
8m

17. DECK Your deck has an area of 128 square feet. After adding a
section, the area will be s 2 + 128 square feet. Draw a diagram
of how this can happen.

18. T-SHIRT DESIGN You use the parallelogram-shaped

sponge to create the T-shirt design. The area of the
1 in. design is 66 square inches. How many times do
you use the sponge to create the design? Draw a
3 in.
diagram to support your answer.

19. STAIRCASE The staircase has three parallelogram-shaped 50.5 in.

panels that are the same size. The horizontal distance
between each panel is 4.25 inches. What is the area
of one panel? 20.5 in.

20. REASONING Find the missing dimensions in the table.

Parallelogram Base Height Area

A x+4 5x + 20

B 8 8x − 24

C 6 12x + 6y

21. Logic Each dimension of a parallelogram is multiplied by a positive

number n. Write an expression for the area of the new parallelogram.

Use mental math to multiply. (Skills Review Handbook)

1 1
22. — × 26 23. 82 × 20 24. 16 × 30 25. — × 236
2 2

26. MULTIPLE CHOICE Which of the following describes B

angle B ? (Skills Review Handbook)
98í
○
A acute ○
B obtuse

○
C right ○
D isosceles 41í 41í
A C

Section 4.1 Areas of Parallelograms 157

 4.2 Areas of Triangles

How can you derive a formula for the area of

a triangle?

1 ACTIVITY: Deriving the Area Formula of a Triangle

Work with a partner.
a. Draw any rectangle on a piece of grid paper. An example is shown below.
Label the length and width. Then find the area of your rectangle.

width â w

right angle length â

b. Draw a diagonal from one corner of your rectangle to the opposite corner.
Cut along the diagonal. Compare the area of the rectangle with the area of
the two pieces you cut. What do you notice? Use your results to write a
formula for the area A of a triangle.
A= Formula

2 ACTIVITY: Deriving the Area Formula of a Triangle

Work with a partner.
a. Fold a piece of grid paper in half.
Draw a triangle so that its base
lies on one of the horizontal lines h
of the paper. Do not use a right
COMMON triangle. Label the height and the b
CORE
base inside the triangle.
Geometry
fold
In this lesson, you will
● find areas of triangles. b. Estimate the area of your triangle
● solve real-life problems. by counting unit squares. Area ≈ Estimate
Learning Standard
MACC.6.G.1.1 c. Cut out the triangle so that you end up with two identical triangles. Form a
quadrilateral whose area you know. What type of quadrilateral is it? Explain
how you know it is this type.
d. Use your results to write a formula for the area of a triangle. Then use your
formula to find the exact area of your triangle. Compare this area with your
estimate in part (b).
158 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons
Math 3 ACTIVITY: Estimating and Finding the Area of a Triangle
Practice
Calculate Work with a partner. Each grid square represents 1 square centimeter.
Accurately ● Use estimation to match each triangle with its area.
How can you
estimate the area ● Then check your work by finding the exact area of each triangle.
of each triangle
so that the answer
is close to the
exact area?
Estimate Exact
Area Match Match

a. 15 cm2
A

b. 20 cm2
B

c. 9 cm2

C D
d. 12 cm2 E

e. 60 cm2

1 F
f. 12 — cm2 G
2 H

1 Not drawn to scale

g. 24 — cm2
2

h. 8 cm2

4. PARTNER ACTIVITY Use a piece of centimeter grid paper to create your own
“triangle matching activity.” Trade with your partner and solve each other’s
matching activity.
5. IN YOUR OWN WORDS How can you derive a formula for the area of
a triangle?

Use what you learned about the areas of triangles to complete

Exercises 3 – 5 on page 162.

Section 4.2 Areas of Triangles 159

4.2 Lesson
Lesson Tutorials

Area of a Triangle
Words The area A of a triangle is one-half the
product of its base b and its height h. h
1
Algebra A = — bh
2 b

EXAMPLE 1 Finding the Area of a Triangle

Find the area of the triangle.
1
A = — bh Write formula.
2
1
Remember = —(5)(8) Substitute 5 for b and 8 for h.
2
8 in.
In Example 1, use the 1
Associative Property = —(40) Multiply 5 and 8.
2
of Multiplication to 1
multiply 5 and 8 first. = 20 Multiply — and 40.
2 5 in.

The area of the triangle is 20 square inches.

Reasonable? Draw the triangle on grid paper and count unit squares.
Each square in the grid represents 1 square inch.

Squares full or nearly full: 18

Squares about half full: 4

() 1
The area is 18(1) + 4 — = 20 square inches.
2
So, the answer is reasonable. ✓

Find the area of the triangle.

Exercises 3–8 1. 2.
4 ft
10 m

11 ft
22 m

160 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons

 EXAMPLE 2 Finding the Area of a Triangle
Find the area of the triangle.

1
A = — bh Write formula.
2
9m 1
= —(12)(9) Substitute 12 for b and 9 for h.
2

12 m = 54 Multiply.

The area of the triangle is 54 square meters.

EXAMPLE 3 Real-Life Application

The base and height of the red butterfly wing are two times greater
than the base and height of the blue butterfly wing. How many times
greater is the area of the red wing than the area of the blue wing?
2 cm
1 cm Find the area of the blue wing.
1
A = — bh Write formula.
2
1
= —(2)(1) Substitute 2 for b and 1 for h.
2

= 1 cm 2 Multiply.
h The red wing dimensions are 2 times greater, so the base is 2 × 2 = 4 cm
and the height is 2 × 1 = 2 cm. Find the area of the red wing.
b 1
A = — bh Write formula.
2
1
= —(4)(2) Substitute 4 for b and 2 for h.
2

= 4 cm 2 Multiply.

4 cm2
Because —2 = 4, the area of the red wing is 4 times greater.
1 cm

3. Find the area of the triangle.

Exercises 12–14
4. WHAT IF? In Example 3, the 8 cm
base and the height of the red
butterfly wing are three times 15 cm
greater than those of the blue
wing. How many times greater
is the area of the red wing?

Section 4.2 Areas of Triangles 161

4.2 Exercises
Help with Homework

1. CRITICAL THINKING Can any side of a triangle be labeled as its base? Explain.
2. DIFFERENT WORDS, SAME QUESTION Which is different? Find “both” answers.

What is the area What is the distance

5 5
of the triangle? around the triangle? 3

8
How many unit What is one-half the
squares fit in product of the base
the triangle? and the height?

6)=3
9+(- 3)=
3+(- 9)=
4+(- =
1)
9+(-

Find the area of the triangle.

1 3. 4. 5.
5 ft
54 in.
4 cm 16 ft

60 in.
3 cm

6. 7. 30 cm 8. 33 m

8m
22 yd 14 yd

75 cm

✗
9. ERROR ANALYSIS Describe and correct the
1
error in finding the area of the triangle. A = —(10)(13)
12 m 2
10 m
13 m = 65 m2

10. COTTONWOOD LEAF Estimate the area of the cottonwood leaf.

4 in.
5 in. 11. CORNER SHELF A shelf has the shape of a triangle. The base
of the shelf is 36 centimeters, and the height is 18 centimeters.
Find the area of the shelf.

162 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons

 Find the area of the triangle.
2 12. 13. 20 mi 14.
8m 18 mm
9 mi

17 m

21 mm
15. OPEN-ENDED Draw and label two triangles
that each have an area of 24 square feet.

16. HANG GLIDING The wingspan of the 9 ft

triangular hang glider is 30 feet.
a. How much fabric is needed to make the sail? Wingsp
an
b. RESEARCH Use the Internet or some other
source to find how the area of the sail is
related to the weight limit of the pilot.

17. SAILBOATS The base and the height of Sail B are

x times greater than the base and the height of
Sail A. How many times greater is the area of
Sail B? Write your answer as a power.
Sail A
4m
18. WRITING You know the height and the
perimeter of an equilateral triangle. Explain
3m Sail B how to find the area of the triangle. Draw a
diagram to support your reasoning.

19. REASONING The base and the height of Triangle A

are half the base and the height of Triangle B.
How many times greater is the area of Triangle B?
16 ft

20. The total area of the polygon

is 176 square feet. Find the value of x. 8 ft

x x

Tell which property is illustrated by the statement. (Section 3.3)

⋅
21. n 1 = n ⋅
22. 4 m = m 4 ⋅ 23. (x + 2) + 5 = x + (2 + 5)

24. MULTIPLE CHOICE What is the first step when using order of operations?
(Section 1.3)

○
A Multiply or divide from left to right. ○
B Add or subtract from left to right.
○
C Perform operations in parentheses. ○ D Evaluate numbers with exponents.

Section 4.2 Areas of Triangles 163

 4 Study Help
Graphic Organizer

You can use a four square to organize information about a topic. Each of the four squares
can be a category, such as definition, vocabulary, example, non-example, words, algebra,
table, numbers, visual, graph, or equation. Here is an example of a four square for the area
of a parallelogram.

Words Algebra
The area A of a parallelogram is A = bh
the product of its base b and its
height h.

Area of a
parallelogram
Example 8 in.
Example
A = bh A = bh 10 ft
= 8(5) 5 in.
= 6(10)
= 40 = 60 6 ft
The area of the parallelogram is The area of the parallelogram is
40 square inches. 60 square feet.

Make a four square to help you study

the topic.
1. area of a triangle

After you complete this chapter, make

four squares for the following topics.
2. area of a trapezoid
3. area of a composite figure
4. drawing a polygon in a coordinate plane
5. finding distances in the first quadrant “Sorry, but I have limited space in my
four square. I needed pet names with
only three letters.”

164 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons

4.1– 4.2 Quiz
Progress Check

Find the area of the parallelogram. (Section 4.1)

1. 2. 70 in.
2 cm

7 cm
85 in.

3. 4.

24 yd 42 mi

16 yd
21 mi

Find the area of the triangle. (Section 4.2)

5. 6.

7 cm 12 m

13 m
8 cm

7. LAND A wildlife conservation group buys a plot of land. How much land
does it buy? (Section 4.2)

3 mi

6 mi

8. FRAMING A sheet of plywood is 4 feet wide

by 8 feet long. What is the minimum number
8 ft
of sheets of plywood needed to cover the frame?
Justify your answer. (Section 4.2)
24 ft

Sections 4.1–4.2 Quiz 165

 4.3 Areas of Trapezoids

How can you derive a formula for the area of

a trapezoid?

1 ACTIVITY: Deriving the Area Formula of a Trapezoid

Work with a partner. Use a piece of centimeter grid paper.
a. Draw any trapezoid so that
its base lies on one of the
horizontal lines of the paper. b1

b. Estimate the area of your

trapezoid (in square h
centimeters) by counting
unit squares. b2

Area ≈ Estimate right angle

c. Label the height and the bases

inside the trapezoid.

d. Cut out the trapezoid. Mark the

midpoint of the side opposite the
height. Draw a line from the midpoint 11
12

10
to the opposite upper vertex. b1
8
9
2
7
6 3
5
e. Cut along the line. You will end up 3
4
4

with a triangle and a quadrilateral. 2 h

1 5
cm
Arrange these two figures to form
b2
6

a figure whose area you know.

f. Use your result to write a formula

COMMON
CORE for the area of a trapezoid.
Geometry b1
Area = Formula
In this lesson, you will
● find areas of trapezoids.

● solve real-life problems.

g. Use your formula to find the area of
Learning Standard h
MACC.6.G.1.1 your trapezoid (in square centimeters).
b2
Area = Exact Area

h. Compare this area with your estimate in part (b).

166 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons

 2 ACTIVITY: Writing a Math Lesson
Work with a partner. Use your results from Activity 1 to write a lesson on
finding the area of a trapezoid.

Math
Practice Area of a Trapezoid
Use Clear
Definitions
Do your steps for
Key Idea Use the following steps to
the Key Idea help
Describe steps find the area of a trapezoid.
another person you can use to 1.
understand how to find the area of a 2.
solve the problem? trapezoid. 3.
Do the examples
follow your steps?

Examples
Write two examples a. b.
for finding the area
of a trapezoid.
Include a drawing
for each.

Write two exercises

for finding the area Exercises
of a trapezoid.
Include an answer
Find the area.
sheet.
1. 2.

3. IN YOUR OWN WORDS How can you derive a formula for the area of
a trapezoid?
4. In this chapter, you used deductive reasoning to derive new area formulas
from area formulas you have already learned. Describe a real-life career in
which deductive reasoning is important.

Use what you learned about the areas of trapezoids to complete

Exercises 4 – 6 on page 170.

Section 4.3 Areas of Trapezoids 167

4.3 Lesson
Lesson Tutorials

Area of a Trapezoid
b1
Words The area A of a trapezoid is
one-half the product of its
height h and the sum of its h
bases b1 and b2.
b2
1
Algebra A = — h(b1 + b2)
2

EXAMPLE 1 Finding Areas of Trapezoids

Find the area of each trapezoid.
a. 5 ft b. 8.5 m

5m
6 ft

11.5 m
9 ft

1 1
A = — h(b1 + b2) Write formula. A = — h(b1 + b2)
2 2
1 1
= —(6)(5 + 9) Substitute. = —(5)(8.5 + 11.5)
2 2
1 1
= —(6)(14) Add. = —(5)(20)
2 2
= 42 Multiply. = 50

The area of the trapezoid The area of the trapezoid

is 42 square feet. is 50 square meters.

Find the area of the trapezoid.

Exercises 7–9 1. 2. 7.7 in.

8 mm 6 in.

4 mm

2.3 in.
5 mm

168 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons

EXAMPLE 2 Finding the Area of a Trapezoid on a Grid
What is the area of the trapezoid?
A 6 units2
○ B 7 units2
○ C 9 units2
○ D 12 units2
○
Count grid lines to find the dimensions.
2
The height h is 6 units, base b1 is 1 unit, 6
and base b2 is 2 units. 1

1
A = — h(b1 + b2) Write formula.
2
1
= —(6)(1 + 2) Substitute values.
2
1
= —(6)(3) Add.
2
=9 Multiply.

The area of the trapezoid is 9 square units.

The correct answer is ○C .

EXAMPLE 3 Real-Life Application

You can use a trapezoid to approximate b1 â 15 mi
the shape of Scott County, Virginia. The
population is about 23,200. About how h â 20 mi
many people are there per square mile?

Find the area of Scott County.

b2 â 38 mi
1
A = — h(b1 + b2) Write formula for area of a trapezoid.
2
1
= —(20)(15 + 38) Substitute 20 for h, 15 for b1, and 38 for b2.
2
1
= —(20)(53) = 530 Simplify.
2

The area of Scott County is about 530 square miles. Divide the
population by the area to find the number of people per square mile.

23,200 people
So, there are about ——
2 ≈ 44 people per square mile.
530 mi

3. Find the area of the trapezoid.

Exercises 11–13
4. WHAT IF? In Example 3, the population
of Scott County decreases by 550. By how
much does the number of people per
square mile change? Explain.

Section 4.3 Areas of Trapezoids 169

4.3 Exercises
Help with Homework

1. VOCABULARY Identify the bases and the height of the trapezoid.

4 ft 7 ft
2. REASONING What measures do you need to find the 15 ft
area of a trapezoid?
3. WHICH ONE DOESN’T BELONG? Which one does not belong with the
other three? Explain your reasoning.

1 1
— bh ℓw 2ℓ+ 2w — h(b1 + b2)
2 2

6)=3
9+(- 3)=
3+(- 9)=
4+(- =
1)
9+(-

Find the area of the trapezoid.

4. b1 = 4, b2 = 8, h = 2 5. b1 = 5, b2 = 7, h = 4 6. b1 = 12, b2 = 6, h = 3

1 7. 6 in. 8. 1 9.
1 cm
4 cm 2
4 in. 10 ft
7.5 ft 13.5 ft
8 in.

1
3 cm
2

✗
10. ERROR ANALYSIS Describe and
correct the error in finding the
1
area of the trapezoid. Area = — (6 + 14)
2
8m 14 m
6m = 10 m2

Find the area of the trapezoid.

2 11. 12. 13.

14. LIGHT Light shines through a window. What is the area

of the trapezoid-shaped region created by the light?
3 ft
4 ft

5 ft
170 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons
Find the area of a trapezoid with height h and bases b1 and b2.
15. h = 6 in. 16. h = 22 cm 17. h = 12 mi 18. h = 14 m
b1 = 9 in. b1 = 10.5 cm b1 = 5.6 mi b1 = 21 m
b2 = 11 in. b2 = 12.5 cm b2 = 7.4 mi b2 = 22 m

19. REASONING The rectangle and the trapezoid 24 ft

have the same area. What is the length ℓ
9 ft 9 ft
of the rectangle?
12 ft

20. OPEN-ENDED The area of the trapezoidal student election sign

is 5 square feet. Find two possible values for each base length.

21. AUDIO How many times greater is the area of the floor
covered
ere larger
ed by the larg n by the smaller speaker?
ger speaker than
2b2
2h

2 ft b2
h

2b1 b1

22. The triangle and the trapezoid share a 15-inch x

base and a height of 10 inches.
a. The area of the trapezoid is less than twice the area of the
triangle. Find the values of x. Explain your reasoning. 10 in.
b. Can the area of the trapezoid be exactly twice
the area of the triangle? Explain your reasoning.
15 in.

Plot the ordered pair in a coordinate plane. (Skills Review Handbook)

23. (5, 0) 24. (2, 4) 25. (0, 3) 26. (6, 1)

27. MULTIPLE CHOICE Which expression represents “6 more than x”?

(Section 3.2)
6
A 6−x
○ ○
B 6x C x+6
○ ○
D —
x

Section 4.3 Areas of Trapezoids 171

Extension
4.3 Areas of Composite Figures
Lesson Tutorials

Key Vocabulary A composite figure is made up of triangles, squares, rectangles, and other
composite figure, two-dimensional figures. Here are two examples.
p. 172
triangle
square

rectangle

trapezoid

To find the area of a composite figure, separate it into figures with areas you
know how to find. Then find the sum of the areas of those figures.

EXAMPLE 1 Finding the Area of a Composite Figure

Find the area of the purple figure.

You can separate the figure into a rectangle

and a trapezoid. Count grid lines to find
Study Tip the dimensions of each figure. Then find
There is often more than the area of each figure.
one way to separate
composite figures. In 4 units
Example 1, you can
separate the figure
into one rectangle and
two triangles. rectangle 6 units
Area of Rectangle Area of Trapezoid
A = ℓw 1
A = —h(b1 + b2)
2
= 6(4)
1
2 units trapezoid
= 24 = —(2)(4 + 8)
2
8 units = 12

So, the area of the purple figure is 24 + 12 = 36 square units.

COMMON Reasonable? You can check your result by counting unit squares.
CORE
Geometry Full squares: 34
In this extension, you will
● find areas of There are 34 Half squares: 4
composite figures. full squares.
● solve real-life The area is
problems. There are 4
Applying Standard
MACC.6.G.1.1
half squares.
()
1
34(1) + 4 — = 36 square units.
2
So, the answer is reasonable. ✓

172 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons

 EXAMPLE 2 Real-Life Application
Find the area of the fairway between two streams on a golf course.
40 yd There are several ways to separate the fairway into figures whose areas
50 yd you can find using formulas. It appears that one way is to separate it
into a right triangle and a rectangle.
70 yd Identify each shape and find any missing dimensions.
40 yd 40 yd

50yd
50 yd
The height of the 30 yd
right triangle is
70 Ź 40 â 30 yards. 70 yd 40 yd

40 yd

40 yd

Area of Rectangle Area of Right Triangle

A = ℓw 1
A = —bh
2
= 70(40) 1
= —(40)(30)
= 2800 2
= 600
So, the area of the fairway is 2800 + 600 = 3400 square yards.

Find the area of the shaded figure.

1. 2. 3.

Find the area of the figure.

4. 12 ft 5. 6. 10 in.

5 ft 7 cm

5 ft 10 in.

12 ft 8 cm

11 cm 4 in.

6 in.
7. ANOTHER METHOD Find the area in Example 2 using a different method.

Extension 4.3 Areas of Composite Figures 173

 4.4 Polygons in the Coordinate Plane

How can you find the lengths of line segments

in a coordinate plane?

1 ACTIVITY: Finding Distances on a Map

Work with a partner. The coordinate grid shows a portion of a city.
Each square on the grid represents one square mile.
y
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 x

a. A public library is located at (4, 5). City Hall is located at (7, 5). Plot and label
these points.
b. How far is the public library from City Hall?
c. A stadium is located 4 miles from the public library. Give the coordinates of
several possible locations of the stadium. Justify your answers by graphing.
d. Connect the three locations of the public library, City Hall, and the stadium
using your answers in part (c). What shapes are formed?

2 ACTIVITY: Graphing Polygons

Work with a partner. Plot and label each set of points in the coordinate plane.
Then connect each set of points to form a polygon.

COMMON Rectangle: A(2, 3), B (2, 10), C (6, 10), D(6, 3)

CORE Triangle: E (8, 3), F (14, 8), G (14, 3)
Geometry y
In this lesson, you will 10
● draw polygons in the
9
coordinate plane.
8
● find distances in the
7
coordinate plane.
● solve real-life problems. 6
Learning Standard 5
MACC.6.G.1.3 4
3
2
1
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 x
174 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons
 3 ACTIVITY: Finding Distances in a Coordinate Plane
Work with a partner.
a. Find the length of each horizontal line segment in Activity 2.
b. STRUCTURE What relationship do you notice between the lengths of the
line segments in part (a) and the coordinates of their endpoints? Explain.
Math
Practice c. Find the length of each vertical line segment in Activity 2.
Repeat d. STRUCTURE What relationship do you notice between the lengths of the
Calculations line segments in part (c) and the coordinates of their endpoints? Explain.
What calculations e. Plot and label the points below in the coordinate plane. Then connect
are repeated? How
each pair of points with a line segment. Use the relationships you
can you use this
information to discovered in parts (b) and (d) above to find the length of each line
write a rule about segment. Show your work.
the length of a
S(3, 1) and T (14, 1) U (9, 8) and V (9, 0)
line segment?
W (0, 7) and X (0, 10) Y (1, 9) and Z (7, 9)
f. Check your answers in part (e) by counting grid lines.

4. IN YOUR OWN WORDS How can you find the lengths of line segments in a
coordinate plane? Give examples to support your explanation.
5. Do the methods you used in Activity 3 work for diagonal line segments?
Explain why or why not.
6. Use the Internet or some other reference to find an example of how “finding
distances in a coordinate plane” is helpful in each of the following careers.
a. b. c.

Archaeologist Surveyor Pilot

Use what you learned about finding the lengths of line segments to
complete Exercises 3–5 on page 178.

Section 4.4 Polygons in the Coordinate Plane 175

4.4 Lesson
Lesson Tutorials

You can use ordered pairs to represent vertices of polygons. To draw a

polygon in a coordinate plane, plot and connect the ordered pairs.

EXAMPLE 1 Drawing a Polygon in a Coordinate Plane

The vertices of a quadrilateral are A(2, 4), B (3, 9), C (7, 8), and D(8, 1).
Draw the quadrilateral in a coordinate plane.
y
B(3, 9)
9
C(7, 8)
Study Tip 8
7 Plot and label the vertices.
After you plot the 6
vertices, connect them 5
in order to draw the 4
polygon. 3
A(2, 4) Connect the points to
2 form the quadrilateral.
1
D(8, 1)
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 x

Draw the polygon with the given vertices in a coordinate plane.

Exercises 6–11 1. A(0, 0), B (5, 7), C (7, 4)
2. W (4, 4), X (7, 4), Y (7, 1), Z (4, 1)
3. F (1, 3), G (3, 6), H (5, 6), J (3, 3)

( ) ( )
4. P (1, 4), Q (3, 5), R(7, 3), S 6, — , T 2, —
1
2
1
2

Finding Distances in the First Quadrant

You can find the length of a horizontal or y
vertical line segment in a coordinate plane
by using the coordinates of the endpoints. (a, b) (c, b)
cŹa
• When the x-coordinates are the same,
the vertical distance between the points (d, f )
is the difference of the y-coordinates. fŹg
• When the y-coordinates are the same,
(d, g)
the horizontal distance between
the points is the difference of the x

x-coordinates.
Be sure to subtract the lesser coordinate from the greater coordinate.

176 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons

 EXAMPLE 2 Finding a Perimeter
The vertices of a rectangle are F (1, 6), G (7, 6), H (7, 2), and J (1, 2). Draw
the rectangle in a coordinate plane and find its perimeter.
Draw the rectangle and use the vertices to find its dimensions.
The length is the horizontal distance y
Study Tip between F (1, 6) and G (7, 6), which is 7
F(1, 6) G(7, 6)
6
You can also find the the difference of the x-coordinates.
5
length using vertices
length = 7 − 1 = 6 units 4
H and J. You can find
3
the width using vertices The width is the vertical distance 2
F and J. between G (7, 6) and H (7, 2), which is J(1, 2) H(7, 2)
1
the difference of the y-coordinates. 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 x
width = 6 − 2 = 4 units

So, the perimeter of the rectangle is 2(6) + 2(4) = 20 units.

EXAMPLE 3 Real-Life Application

In a grid of the exhibits at a zoo, the vertices of the giraffe exhibit
are E (0, 90), F (60, 90), G (100, 30), and H (0, 30). The coordinates are
measured in feet. What is the area of the giraffe exhibit?
Plot and connect the vertices using a y
coordinate grid to form a trapezoid. 100
E(0, 90) F(60, 90)
Use the coordinates to find the lengths b1
80
of the bases and the height.
b1 = 60 − 0 = 60 60 h

b2 = 100 − 0 = 100 40
b2
h = 90 − 30 = 60 20
H(0, 30) G(100, 30)

Use the formula for the area of

Common Error a trapezoid. 0
0 20 40 60 80 100 x

You can count grid lines 1

A = —(60)(60 + 100)
to find the dimensions, 2
but make sure you 1
consider the scale of = —(60)(160) = 4800
2
the axes.
The area of the giraffe exhibit is 4800 square feet.

5. The vertices of a rectangle are J (2, 7), K (4, 7), L(4, 1.5), and
Exercises 12–15 M (2, 1.5). Find the perimeter and the area of the rectangle.
6. WHAT IF? In Example 3, the giraffe exhibit is enlarged by moving
vertex F to (80, 90). How does this affect the area? Explain.

Section 4.4 Polygons in the Coordinate Plane 177

4.4 Exercises
Help with Homework

1. WRITING How can you use a coordinate plane to draw a polygon?

2. WRITING How can you find the perimeter of a rectangle in a
coordinate plane?

6)=3
9+(- 3)=
3+(- 9)=
4+(- =
1)
9+(-

Plot and label each pair of points in a coordinate plane. Find the length of the
line segment connecting the points.
3. C (0, 1), D(8, 1) 4. K (5, 2), L (5, 6) 5. Q (3, 4), R(3, 9)

Draw the polygon with the given vertices in a coordinate plane.

1 6. A(4, 7), B (6, 2), C (0, 0) ( )

1
7. D —, 2 , E (5, 5), F (4, 1)
2

( ) ( )
1 1
8. G 1—, 4 , H 1—, 8 , J (5, 8), K (5, 4)
2 2
9. L(3, 2), M (3, 5), N(9, 5), P (9, 2)

10. Q (0, 4), R(10, 8), S(7, 4), T(10, 2), U(5, 0)

( ) ( ) 1
11. V (2, 2), W 3, 7— , X 8, 7— , Y (10, 4), Z (7, 0)
2
1
2

Find the perimeter and the area of the polygon with the given vertices.
2 12. C (1, 1), D(1, 4), E(4, 4), F (4, 1) 13. J (1, 2), K (7, 2), L(7, 8), M (1, 8)
14. N(0, 2), P (5, 2), Q (5, 5), R (0, 5) 15. S(3, 0), T (3, 9), U(8, 9), V (8, 0)

✗
y
16. ERROR ANALYSIS Describe and correct B(7, 6)
7
the error in drawing a triangle with 6 A(5, 1)
vertices A(5, 1), B (7, 6), and C (1, 3). 5
4
3
2
1
C(1, 3)
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 x
y
9
K(2, 8) L(9, 8)
8
7
6
17. TREE HOUSE You design a tree house using a coordinate
5 plane. You plot the vertices of the floor at J (2, 1), K (2, 8),
4 L(9, 8), and M (9, 1). The coordinates are measured in feet.
3
2 a. What is the shape of the floor?
1
J(2, 1) M(9, 1)
b. What are the perimeter and the area of the floor?
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 x

178 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons

OPEN-ENDED Draw a polygon with the given conditions in a coordinate plane.
18. a square with a perimeter of 20 units 19. a rectangle with a perimeter of 18 units
20. a rectangle with an area of 24 units2 21. a triangle with an area of 15 units2

22. STRUCTURE The coordinate plane 23. BUS ROUTE Polygon JKLMNP represents
shows three vertices of a parallelogram. a bus route. Each grid square represents
Find two possible points that could 9 square miles. What is the shortest
represent the fourth vertex. distance, in miles, from station P to
y station L using the bus route? Explain
9 your reasoning.
8
y
7 9
6 8
X(3, 5) Y(7, 5) K L
5 7
4
6
3 5
2 J P
4
1 3
W(2, 1) N M
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 x 2
1
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 x

24. CITY LIMITS In a topographical map of a city, the

vertices of the city limits are A(10, 9), B (18, 9),
C (18, 2), D (14, 4.5), and E (10, 4.5). The coordinates
are measured in miles. What is the area of the city?

25. BACKYARD The vertices of a backyard are W (10, 30),

X (10, 100), Y (110, 100), and Z (50, 30). The coordinates
are measured in feet. The line segment XZ separates
the backyard into a lawn and a garden. The area of the
lawn is greater than the area of the garden. How many
times larger is the lawn than the garden?

26. Precision The vertices of a rectangle are (1, 0), (1, a), (5, a), and (5, 0). The vertices
of a parallelogram are (1, 0), (2, b), (6, b), and (5, 0). The value of a is greater than the
value of b. Which polygon has a greater area? Explain your reasoning.

Divide. Write the answer in simplest form. (Section 2.3)

1 2 3 3 1 1 1
27. 1— ÷ — 28. 6 — ÷ — 29. 2 — ÷ 8 30. 4 — ÷ 1—
3 3 5 4 2 6 8

31. MULTIPLE CHOICE You are filling bottles from 5 gallons of lemonade.
3
How many bottles can you fill when each bottle is — of a gallon? (Section 2.2)
8
7 1
○
A 1— ○
B 3 ○
C 8 D 13 —
○
8 3

Section 4.4 Polygons in the Coordinate Plane 179

 4.3– 4.4 Quiz
Progress Check

Find the area of the trapezoid. (Section 4.3)

1. 5 km 2. 3.
8 in.
7 mi
3 km 10 in.
10 mi
7 km
4 mi
12 in.

Find the area of the figure. (Section 4.3)

4. 5. 5 ft 6. 6m
6 in.
5 ft
8m

6 ft
8 in.
7m
10 in.
8 ft
9m

Draw the polygon with the given vertices in a coordinate plane. (Section 4.4)
7. A(1, 2), B(3, 5), C(6, 1) 8. E(1, 2), F(3, 6), G(8, 6), H(6, 2)

Find the perimeter and the area of the polygon with the given vertices. (Section 4.4)
9. J(1, 3), K(1, 8), L(5, 8), M(5, 3) 10. P(1, 2), Q(1, 7), R(7, 7), S(7, 2)

12 cm

11. BACK POCKET How much material do you need

to make two back pockets? (Section 4.3) 9 cm

y 10 cm
R(2, 9) S(8, 9) 3 cm
9
8
7
6
5 12. PATIO Plans for a patio are shown in the
4 coordinate plane at the left. The coordinates
3 are measured in feet. Find the perimeter and
2 the area of the patio. (Section 4.4)
1
Q(2, 1) T(8, 1)
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 x

180 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons

4 Chapter Review
Vocabulary Help

Review Key Vocabulary

polygon, p. 152 composite figure, p. 172

Review Examples and Exercises

4.1 Areas of Parallelograms (pp. 152–157)

Find the area of the parallelogram.

A = bh Write formula.

9 cm = 5(9) Substitute 5 for b and 9 for h.

= 45 Multiply.

5 cm

The area of the parallelogram is 45 square centimeters.

Find the area of the parallelogram.

1. 2.
22 mm
20 yd

25 yd
11 mm

4.2 Areas of Triangles (pp. 158–163)

Find the area of the triangle.

1
A = — bh Write formula.
2
1 7 mi
= —(10)(7) Substitute.
2
10 mi
= 35 Multiply.

The area of the triangle is 35 square miles.

Chapter Review 181

 Find the area of the triangle.
3. 4. 25 cm

16 km
10 km 14 cm

4.3 Areas of Trapezoids (pp. 166–173)

Find the area of the trapezoid.

1
A = — h(b1 + b2) Write formula. 8 in.
2
1
= —(10)(8 + 18) Substitute. 10 in.
2
1
= —(10)(26) = 130 Multiply. 18 in.
2

The area of the trapezoid is 130 square inches.

Find the area of the trapezoid.

5. 15 m 6. 1 7. 6 mi
1 in.
2

10 m 7 mi
3 in.

6m 8 mi

1
2 in.
2

Find the area of the figure.

8. 9. 4 cm 10. 6 in.
7 ft 4 cm
5 in.

6 ft 12 cm 5 in.

8 ft
10 in.
8 cm

182 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons

4.4 Polygons in the Coordinate Plane (pp. 174–179)

a. The vertices of a triangle are A(1, 3), B(5, 9), and C(8, 2). Draw the
triangle in a coordinate plane.
y
B(5, 9)
9
8
7 Plot and label the vertices.
6
5
4
3 Connect the points to
2 A(1, 3) form the triangle.
C(8, 2)
1
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 x

b. The vertices of a rectangle are F(2, 6), G(8, 6), H(8, 1), and J(2, 1).
Draw the rectangle in a coordinate plane and find its perimeter.
Draw the rectangle and use the vertices to find its dimensions.
The length is the horizontal distance y
7
between F(2, 6) and G(8, 6), which is F(2, 6) G(8, 6)
6
the difference of the x-coordinates.
5
length = 8 − 2 = 6 units 4
3
The width is the vertical distance
2
between G(8, 6) and H(8, 1), which is 1
the difference of the y-coordinates. J(2, 1) H(8, 1)
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 x
width = 6 − 1 = 5 units

So, the perimeter of the rectangle is 2(6) + 2(5) = 22 units.

Draw the polygon with the given vertices in a coordinate plane.

11. A(3, 2), B(4, 7), C(6, 0)
12. D(1, 1), E(1, 5), F(4, 5), G(4, 1)
13. J(1, 2), K(1, 7), L(5, 7), M(8, 2)

( ) 1
14. K 3, 3 — , L(5, 7), M(8, 7), N 6, 3 —
2 ( ) 1
2

Find the perimeter and the area of the polygon with the given vertices.
15. P(4, 3), Q(4, 7), R(9, 7), S(9, 3)
16. T(2, 7), U(2, 9), V(5, 9), W(5, 7)
17. W(11, 2), X(11, 8), Y(14, 8), Z(14, 2)
18. A(12, 2), B(12, 13), C(15, 13), D(15, 2)

Chapter Review 183

 4 Chapter Test
Test Practice

Find the area of the parallelogram, triangle, or trapezoid.

1. 2. 3.
1.6 cm
14 in.
100 cm

2 cm
130 cm 22 in.

2.4 cm

Find the area of the figure.

4. 5. 4m 6. 4 in.
6 ft
4m
8 in.

7 ft
5m
14 in.
12 ft
10 m

Draw the polygon with the given vertices in a coordinate plane.

7. A(4, 2), B(5, 6), C(7, 4)

8. D(3, 4), E(5, 8), F(8, 8), G(6, 4)

Find the perimeter and the area of the polygon with the given vertices.
9. Q(5, 6), R(5, 10), S(9, 10), T(9, 6)

10. W(2, 8), X(2, 16), Y(8, 16), Z(8, 8)

11. TABLETOP The base lengths of a trapezoidal tabletop are 921 ft

6 feet and 8 feet. The height is 5 feet. What is the area of
the tabletop?
921 921
ft ft
12. PENTAGON The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, is the
headquarters of the U.S. Department of Defense.
a. Find the perimeter of the Pentagon. 1490 ft
b. A pentagon is made of a triangle and a trapezoid.
The height of the triangle shown is about 541 feet,
921 ft 921 ft
and the height of the trapezoid shown is about
876 feet. Estimate the land area of the Pentagon.

13. CAMPING The vertices of a campsite are (25, 15), (25, 30), (55, 30), and
(55, 15). The vertices of your tent are (30, 20), (30, 25), (40, 25), and (40, 20). The
coordinates are measured in feet. What is the area of the campsite not covered
by your tent?

184 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons

4 Standards Assessment
Test-Takin
g Strateg
Answer E y
1. What is the area of the shaded figure asy Ques
tions Firs
shown below? (MACC.6.G.1.1) t

“Scan th
e
2 questio test and answ
A. 32 units n e
area of s first. You kno r the easy
the pro a triangle is o w that the
duct of
B. 40 units2 its base ne-half times
and its
height.”
C. 44 units2

D. 56 units2

2. What is the value of the expression below? ([Link].1.1)

183

3. You have 36 red apples and 42 green apples. What is the greatest number of
identical fruit baskets you can make with no apples left over? ([Link].2.4)

F. 6 H. 12

G. 9 I. 18

4. What is the perimeter of the rectangle with the vertices shown below?
(MACC.6.G.1.3)

A(4, 7), B(4, 15), C(9, 15), D(9,7)

A. 8 units C. 26 units

B. 13 units D. 70 units

Standards Assessment 185

 5. What property was used to simplify the expression? ([Link].1.3)

5 × 78 = 5(70 + 8)
= 5(70) + 5(8)
= 350 + 40
= 390

F. Associative Property of Multiplication

G. Commutative Property of Addition

H. Distributive Property

I. Multiplication Property of One

6. What is the area, in square yards, of the triangle below? (MACC.6.G.1.1)

8 yd

5 yd

12
7. Which of the following is equivalent to — ? ([Link].1.1)
35
5 2 2 5
A. — ÷ — C. — ÷ —
6 7 7 6
2 6 5 7
B. — ÷ — D. — ÷ —
7 5 6 2

8. The description below represents the area of which polygon? (MACC.6.G.1.1)

“one-half the product of its height and the sum of the lengths of its bases”

F. rectangle H. trapezoid

G. square I. triangle

186 Chapter 4 Areas of Polygons

 9. Edward was evaluating the expression in the box.

180 ÷ 9 + 34 − 1 = 180 ÷ 9 + 81 − 1
= 180 ÷ 90 − 1
=2−1
=1

What should Edward do to correct the error that he made? ([Link].1.1)

A. Add 9 and 81 then subtract 1 before dividing.

B. Divide 180 by 9 before adding or subtracting.

C. Divide 180 by 9 then subtract 1 before adding 34.

D. Subtract 1 from 90 before dividing.

10. You have 3 times as many guitar picks as your cousin. Let v be the
number of guitar picks that your cousin has. Which expression
represents the number of guitar picks you have? ([Link].1.2a)

F. 3v H. 3 − v

v
G. v + 3 I. —
3

11. Your family hires a company to install invisible fencing around your yard.
(MACC.6.G.1.1)

4 ft 4 ft
25 ft

15 ft

Part A Find the area of the yard using only the area formulas for
rectangles and triangles. Show your work.

Part B Find the area of the yard using the area formula for trapezoids.

Part C Explain why the two methods of finding the area of the yard give
the same result. Describe the advantages of each method.

Standards Assessment 187