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How can quadrilaterals have more than one name?
Goal:
Goal:
Think About It!
Goal: Understand why quadrilaterals can have more than one name.
Why can Daniel’s shape be called a parallelogram and a rectangle? To understand this, we must think about the attributes of quadrilaterals.
Quadrilaterals are polygons with 4 sides and 4 angles. That is a pretty broad definition! Let's review the other definitions and attributes of each quadrilateral to help us understand why they can have different names. Click through the slide show below to learn more!
Trapezoids
Trapezoids have 4 sides, 4 angles, and 1 pair of parallel sides. Look at the pictures of the trapezoids. Can you find the pair of parallel sides on each trapezoid?
Question
Think about the definition and attributes of a trapezoid. What else could you call a trapezoid?
A trapezoid can also be a called a quadrilateral because it has 4 sides and 4 angles.
Parallelograms
Parallelograms have 4 sides and 4 angles. The opposite sides in a parallelogram are parallel and equal in length. This means a parallelogram has 2 pairs of parallel sides. The opposite angles in a parallelogram are also equal.
Question
Think about the definition and attributes of a parallelogram. What else could you call a parallelogram?
A parallelogram can also be a called a quadrilateral because it has 4 sides and 4 angles.
Rhombi
Rhombi (more than 1 rhombus) have 4 sides and 4 angles. All the sides of a rhombus are equal in length. The opposite sides of a rhombus are parallel. This means that a rhombus has 2 pairs of parallel sides. The opposite angles in a rhombus are also equal.
Question
Think about the definition and attributes of a rhombus. What else could you call a rhombus?
A rhombus can be a called a quadrilateral because it has 4 sides and 4 angles. A rhombus can also be called a parallelogram because it has 2 pairs of parallel sides that are equal in length.
Rectangles
Rectangles have 4 sides and 4 angles. The opposite sides of a rectangle are parallel and equal in length. This means a rectangle has 2 pairs of parallel sides. A rectangle also has 4 right angles.
Question
Think about the definition and attributes of a rectangle. What else could you call a rectangle?
A rectangle can be a called a quadrilateral because it has 4 sides and 4 angles. A rectangle can also be called a parallelogram because it has 2 pairs of parallel sides that are equal in length.
Squares
Squares have 4 sides and 4 angles. All 4 sides of a square are equal in length. A square has 4 right angles. The opposite sides in a square are parallel. That means a square has 2 pairs of parallel sides.
Question
Think about the definition and attributes of a square. What else could you call a square?
A square can be a called a quadrilateral because it has 4 sides and 4 angles. A square can also be called a parallelogram because it has 2 pairs of parallel sides that are equal in length. A square can be called a rhombus because it has 2 pairs of parallel sides and 4 sides of equal length. A square can also be called a rectangle because it has 2 pairs of parallel sides that are equal in length and 4 right angles.
Knowing the attributes and different names for quadrilaterals can help us draw them!