Do you want to know how to prove that the parallelogram in front of you is actually a rectangle? First, you should know that the formal definition of a rectangle is a parallelogram whose angle is 90o degrees. Additionally, if the diagonals in parallelograms are equal, it is a rectangle.
That is, if you are given a parallelogram, you can prove it is a rectangle using one of the following theorems:
If a parallelogram has an angle of 90o degrees, it is a rectangle.
If the diagonals are equal in a parallelogram, it is a rectangle
We briefly remind you of the conditions for a parallelogram check:
If in a quadrilateral where each pair of opposite sides are also parallel to each other, the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.
If in a quadrilateral where each pair of opposite sides are also equal to each other, the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.
If a quadrilateral has a pair of opposite sides that are equal and parallel, the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.
If in a quadrilateral the diagonals cross each other, the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.
If a quadrilateral has two pairs of equal opposite angles, the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.
Let's demonstrate that a parallelogram is a rectangle using the first theorem.
If a parallelogram has an angle of 90o degrees, it is a rectangle. We are given a parallelogram ABCD :
From Parallelogram to Rectangle
Given that: ∢B=90
We need to prove that: ABCD is a rectangle.
Solution:
We know that in a parallelogram, the opposite angles are equal. Therefore, we can affirm that: ∢B=∢D=90 Now, we can affirm that: ∢C=180−90 Since the adjacent parallel angles are equal to 180o. We obtain that: ∢C=90
Wonderful. Now we can affirm that: ∢A=∢C=90 Since the opposite parallel angles are equal.
Magnificent! We proved that all angles in a parallelogram are equal to 90o degrees. Therefore, we can determine that the parallelogram is a rectangle.
Remember, the formal definition of a rectangle is a parallelogram where it has an angle of 90o degrees. Therefore, we will not have to prove that all angles are equal to 90o.
Now, let's demonstrate that a parallelogram is a rectangle using the second theorem:
If the diagonals are equal in a parallelogram, it is a rectangle. We are given a parallelogram ABCD :
Parallelogram
and it has equal diagonals: AC=BD
It is necessary to prove that: ABCD is a rectangle.
Solution: We know that in the parallelogram the diagonals cross each other. Therefore, we can determine that: AE=CE BE=DE
We also know from the given data that: AC=BD Therefore, we can affirm that all halves are equal. Why? We can write that: AE=CE=2AC
BE=DE=2BD
Since: AC=BD we can compare 2AC=2BD And according to the transitive rule we obtain:
AE=CE=BE=DE
As all these segments are equal, isosceles triangles are created.
We will identify the equal angles in the drawing:
Parallelogram
Opposite equal sides, the angles are equal. Moreover, in a parallelogram, the opposite sides are parallel and the alternate angles between parallel lines are equal.
Wonderful. Now, remember that in a quadrilateral the sum of the interior angles equals 360o. Therefore: α+β+α+β+α+β+α+β=360 4α+4β=360 we divide by 4 and obtain: α+β=90
Note that each of our parallel angles consists of α+β and, therefore, each parallel angle equals 90o degrees. Therefore, the parallelogram we have in front of us is a rectangle, since a rectangle is a parallelogram with an angle of 90o degrees.
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