Quadrilaterals

There is a distinct shape to every closed figure. The number of sides and angles that make up an object determine its shape. Various forms can now be generated based on the measurement of side lengths and angle degrees. A quadrilateral is one such shape. We will learn about quadrilaterals and types of quadrilaterals in the subsequent paragraphs.

What are Quadrilaterals & Types of Quadrilaterals?

Quadrilateral refers to the number four, while lateral refers to the number of sides. Quadrilaterals are all closed figures with four sides. The quadrilateral’s sides can be equal, unequal, parallel, or uneven, resulting in various shapes in these four-sided shapes. Whatever shape it takes on the outside, every quadrilateral has four sides, four vertices, and all of its angles total up to 360 degrees.

Squares and rectangles are the most common quadrilaterals. We’ve been studying these basic quadrilaterals since elementary school, but in this section of the chapter, we’ll look at several other sorts of quadrilaterals that have qualities similar to squares or rectangles but are not designated as such.

Properties of Quadrilateral

After understanding the definition of quadrilateral, let’s understand its properties! 

Each of the quadrilaterals mentioned above has its own set of properties. However, there are several characteristics that all quadrilaterals have. Here are the properties of quadrilaterals. 

• There are four sides to them.
• They are made up of four vertices.
• They are divided into two diagonals.
• 360° is the sum of all internal angles.

We’ll go over the additional features of several quadrilaterals in depth. The qualities of quadrilaterals can be used to identify a quadrilateral.

Types of Quadrilaterals

The various types of quadrilaterals are:

1. Parallelogram

As the name implies, a parallelogram is a quadrilateral having parallel opposite sides. In a parallelogram, all opposite sides are equal, as are the angles formed by each opposite side.

A parallelogram has four properties:

• Angles that are opposite each other are equal.
• The opposite sides are parallel and equal.
• Diagonals cut each other in half.
• Any two neighbouring angles added together equals 180°.

2. Rectangle

A Rectangle is a form of the parallelogram with a slight change in the side angles. All of the sides of a rectangle are at a right angle or perpendicular to each other.

Rectangle properties include:

• A rectangle’s angles are all 90 degrees.
• A rectangle’s opposite sides are equal and parallel.
• The diagonals of a rectangle cut each other in half.

3. Square

A square is one of the popular types of quadrilateral with equal sides on all four sides. A square’s vertices form a right angle with its sides.

A Square has three properties:

• A square’s angles are all 90 degrees.
• A square’s sides are all equal and parallel to one another.
• Diagonals are perpendicularly divided.

4. Rhombus

A rhombus is a parallelogram that has all of its sides equal. In other terms, a rhombus is a parallelogram with lengths of sides similar to those of a square. Diamonds are also a term used to describe these. When it comes to their diagonals, rhombuses have a unique property. The diagonals of a rhombus are said to bisect each other when they meet exactly in the middle at a right angle.

Four properties of a Rhombus:

• Angles that are opposite each other are equal.
• All sides are equal, and the opposite sides are parallel.
• Diagonals are perpendicularly divided.
• Any two neighbouring angles added together equals 180°.

5. Trapezium

A trapezium differs from other quadrilaterals in that it has different properties. Only one pair of the four sides of a trapezium are parallel to one other. All of the sides of a trapezium do not have to be equal in length, but one of the pairs of sides must be parallel to the other.

A trapezium is a quadrilateral that has one of the following characteristics:

• There is only one pair of opposing sides parallel to one another.
• Diagonals intersect in the same proportion.
• There are two extra angles next to each other.

After going over the properties listed above, it should now be easy for you to distinguish between quadrilaterals. So, while every quadrilateral is a four-sided figure, they are significantly different based on side length and angle equality. The differences between them are listed in their properties of quadrilateral, so go over them carefully because you should now be able to distinguish between each sort of quadrilateral.

Conclusion

A quadrilateral is a closed, two-dimensional form with four straight sides that can be specified in geometry. The shape of quadrilaterals can be found in a deck of cards, kite, chessboard, signboard, and an arrow, among other things. In terms of sides or angles, many shapes differ from one another. Many shapes have four sides, but the angles on their sides are what distinguishes them.