Parallelogram is a four-sided polygon (quadrilateral) where opposite sides are parallel and equal in length. A key feature of parallelograms is that they have two sets of parallel lines, which gives them their name. Examples of parallelograms include squares, rectangles, and rhombuses, which are all specific types of parallelograms with additional unique properties.
Characteristics of the Parallelogram
Sides opposite in a quadrilateral: are sides that do not have a common meeting point.
Adjacent sides in a quadrilateral: are sides that have a common meeting point.
Calculate the area of the parallelogram based on the data in the figure:
Incorrect
Correct Answer:
It is not possible to calculate.
Practice more now
Basic Concepts on the Topic of the Parallelogram
Did you notice the quadrilateral that is formed at the intersection of 2 train tracks? What is it called? What are its characteristics? Let's take a look at the train tracks, why are train tracks 2 parallel tracks? For the train to not derail, there must be 2 tracks that always maintain the same distance apart. This is the definition of parallel lines that never meet because the distance between them is always equal. This is the definition of parallel lines that never meet because the distance between them is always equal. At the moment when 2 train tracks meet, a quadrilateral is formed between them, which has 2 pairs of opposite sides parallel, which is the parallelogram
Vertically opposite angles: 2 straight lines that cross each other to form 4 angles at their meeting point. The 2 non-adjacent angles are called vertices.
Corresponding angles between parallels: the line that crosses 2 parallel lines forms around each intersection point with each line 4 angles. Any pair of angles that are in the same position around the intersection points are called corresponding angles. When the lines are parallel, the corresponding angles are also equal
Alternate interior angles between parallels: each angle around an upper intersection point with the vertex to the corresponding angle around a second intersection point forms a pair of alternate angles. A hallmark: it is possible to look for angles in the shape of a Z in the cut of the straight lines. When the lines are parallel, the cut creates equal alternate angles.
Consecutive interior angles between parallels: any angle around an upper intersection point with the adjacent angle corresponding to that side around a second intersection point. The sum of the unilateral angles between parallels is 180o
So, what are the properties of this special quadrilateral called a parallelogram? Get a brief summary
Join Over 30,000 Students Excelling in Math!
Endless Practice, Expert Guidance - Elevate Your Math Skills Today
The opposite sides in a parallelogram are equal.
ABǁDC (by definition of the parallelogram). Therefore: angle A2=C1 (alternate angles between equal parallels)
ADǁBC (by the definition of parallels). Therefore: A1=C2 (alternate angles between equal parallels)
AC=AC (Common side) therefore it can be concluded that: ΔADC≅ΔCBA (according to the congruence theorem: angle, side, angle) For this: AB=DC,AD=BC congruent equals)
This congruence leads us to the following property:
The opposite angles at the vertex in a parallelogram are equal.
ΔADC≅ΔCBA (proven in the previous sentence)
Therefore:
AnglesB=D (corresponding angles in equal congruent triangles)
And also C1+C2=A1+A1 (sum of equal angles)
Therefore: Angles ∢A=∢C (sum of angles)
The diagonals in the parallelogram intersect
Let's demonstrate that:
AO=CO
BO=DO
To do this, we will superimpose the triangles: ΔAOB with ΔCOD
AB=DC Opposite sides are equal in a parallelogram
ABǁDC by the definition of the parallelogram
Therefore:
Angles B1=D1
Angles A1=C1
According to the theorem alternate angles between equal parallels, therefore:
To calculate thearea of a parallelogram we will draw a line from one of the vertices perpendicular to the opposite side.
Area of the parallelogram = base x height
Calculation of the Area of a Parallelogram Using Trigonometry
It is possible to calculate the area of a parallelogram even without height, using trigonometry: by multiplying 2 adjacent sides by the sine of the angle between them.
Sometimes, the fact that the diagonals divide the parallelogram into 4equilateral triangles, allows us through the use of the halves of the diagonals and the sine of the angle between them to find the area of the parallelogram. It is enough to find a single triangle and multiply it by 4.
Parallelogram Verification
What are the necessary conditions to prove that a quadrilateral is a parallelogram?
Definition: A quadrilateral that has 2 pairs of opposite sides parallel is called a parallelogram.
What are the additional theorems that allow us to determine without information that the opposite sides are parallel that the quadrilateral is a parallelogram?
A quadrilateral where 2 pairs of opposite sides are equal is a parallelogram.
According to the figure
AB=DC
AD=BC
AC=AC This is a common side
It can be concluded:
ΔABC≅ΔCDA According to the congruence theorem: side, side, side
Therefore:
∢BAC=∢ACD
∢ACB=∢DAC
According to the theorem corresponding angles in congruent triangles are equal
Therefore:
ABǁDC
ADǁBC [when alternate angles are equal - the lines are parallel]
Therefore, ABCD is a parallelogram (2 pairs of opposite sides are parallel)
A quadrilateral where there are 2 pairs of equal opposite angles is a parallelogram.
We will mark:
Angles α=B=D
Angles β=A=C
The sum of the angles in a quadrilateral is 360o Therefore, the equation 2α+2β=360o is obtained Divide the equation by 2 and obtain: 180o=β+α
Therefore
ABǁDC
ADǁBC {when the sum of the angles on one side is 180o then they are parallel lines}
ABCD is a parallelogram (when there are 2 pairs of opposite sides parallel it is a parallelogram)
A quadrilateral where the diagonals cross each other is a parallelogram.
When given:
AO=CO
BO=DO
And the angle trapped between them:
∢AOB=∢DOC (Vertically opposite angles are equal)
It can be concluded that: ΔABO≅ΔCOD (according to the congruence theorem: side, angle, side)
Therefore:
AB=CD (corresponding sides in congruent triangles are equal)
In the same way, we will superimpose ΔBOC with ΔAOD
BO=DO (corresponding sides in equal congruent triangles)
Therefore: ABCD is a parallelogram (a quadrilateral where the diagonals cross is a parallelogram)
Parallelogram Exercises
Exercise 1
Assignment
Given the quadrilateral ABCD
Given that:
∢D=95o
∢C=85o
Is it possible to determine if this quadrilateral is a parallelogram?
Solution
In fact, this quadrilateral is a parallelogram because two angles are adjacent
the same side, complementary to: 180o
Answer
Yes
Exercise 2
Assignment
Given the quadrilateral ABCD
Given that:
∢A=100o
∢C=80o
Is it possible to determine if this quadrilateral is a parallelogram?
Solution
In fact, this quadrilateral is a parallelogram because two angles are adjacent
the same side, complementary to: 180o
Answer
Yes
Exercise 3
Assignment
Given the quadrilateral ABCD
such that:
∢A=100°,
And... ∢C=70°
Is it possible to determine if this quadrilateral is a parallelogram?
Solution:
The definition of a parallelogram is a quadrilateral with two pairs of parallel sides.
In this case, the quadrilateral is not a parallelogram because two adjacent angles on the same side do not add up to 180o degrees
Answer:
No
Exercise 4
Assignment
Given the quadrilateral ABCD
AB=20
CD=20
BD=8
AC=8
Is it possible to determine if this quadrilateral is a parallelogram?
Solution
In fact, this quadrilateral is a parallelogram because if in a quadrilateral two pairs of opposite sides are of the same length, then the quadrilateral is a parallelogram.
Answer
Yes
Exercise 5
Assignment
Given the quadrilateral ABCD
AF=4
FD=6
BF=2
FC=3
Is it possible to determine if this quadrilateral is a parallelogram?
Solution
This quadrilateral is not a parallelogram because a quadrilateral whose diagonals intersect is a parallelogram. In this case, the diagonals do not intersect each other.