What is the area formula for a parallelogram?

The area of a parallelogram is calculated using the formula A = bh, where 'b' represents the length of the base and 'h' denotes the height of the parallelogram. This formula is derived from the understanding that the area is essentially the product of how wide the shape is (the base) and how tall it is (the height).

In a parallelogram, the height is perpendicular to the base, ensuring that the area measured accounts for the entirety of the shape. As a result, when you multiply the base by the height, you capture the full area enclosed within the sides of the parallelogram. This formula applies whether the parallelogram is oriented vertically, horizontally, or at an angle, as long as the base and height are correctly identified.

Other formulas listed, such as A = 1/2bh, apply to triangles, not parallelograms. A = s² represents the area of a square, and A = lw refers to the area of a rectangle. Each of these formulas is specific to its respective geometric figure and does not apply to parallelograms, highlighting why the area formula A = bh is the correct choice for this question.