Square vs Parallelogram: Understanding Geometric Classification
Question
Look at the square below:
Is a square a parallelogram?
Step-by-Step Solution
To determine if a square is a parallelogram, we must first define both geometric shapes.
Square: A square is a quadrilateral with four equal sides and four right angles. This means that all angles are 90∘ and each pair of opposite sides are parallel.
Parallelogram: A parallelogram is a quadrilateral where opposite sides are parallel and equal in length. It does not necessarily require right angles.
Now, let's see if a square fits the definition of a parallelogram:
The square has opposite sides that are both parallel and equal, satisfying the definition of a parallelogram.
Although a square also has additional properties, such as all angles being right angles and all sides being equal, these characteristics do not contradict the definition of a parallelogram.
Since a square satisfies all the conditions required for a parallelogram, we conclude that a square is indeed a type of parallelogram.