Parallelograms: What You Need to Know

What is a Parallelogram?

A parallelogram is a four-sided shape with two pairs of parallel sides. It is a type of quadrilateral, which is a shape with four sides and four angles. Parallelograms have opposite sides that are equal in length and opposite angles that are equal in measure. They also have consecutive angles that add up to 180 degrees.

Properties of Parallelograms

Parallelograms have several important properties that are useful to know. The first is that the opposite sides of a parallelogram are equal in length and parallel to each other. This means that if you draw a line from one corner to the opposite corner, it will be the same length as the line from the other corner to the opposite corner. Additionally, the opposite angles of a parallelogram are equal in measure. This means that the two angles on one side of the parallelogram will be the same as the two angles on the other side. Lastly, the consecutive angles of a parallelogram add up to 180 degrees. This means that if you add the two angles on one side of the parallelogram together, it will equal 180 degrees.

Types of Parallelograms

There are several types of parallelograms, each with its own unique properties. The most common type of parallelogram is the rectangle, which has four right angles and four equal sides. A square is also a type of parallelogram, since it has four right angles and four equal sides. Another type of parallelogram is the rhombus, which has four sides of equal length and four angles of equal measure. Lastly, there is the trapezoid, which has two parallel sides and two non-parallel sides.

Which of the Following is Not True for a Parallelogram?

One of the most common questions about parallelograms is which of the following is not true for a parallelogram? The answer is that a parallelogram does not have to have four right angles. While rectangles and squares are both types of parallelograms, they are not the only type. Rhombuses, trapezoids, and other shapes can also be parallelograms, and they do not have to have four right angles.

Conclusion

Parallelograms are a type of four-sided shape with two pairs of parallel sides and several important properties. They have opposite sides that are equal in length and opposite angles that are equal in measure, and their consecutive angles add up to 180 degrees. There are several types of parallelograms, including rectangles, squares, rhombuses, and trapezoids. The one thing that is not true for a parallelogram is that it does not have to have four right angles.