ASTRO logo
Present

Facts for Kids

A parallelogram is a four-sided polygon with opposite sides that are both equal in length and parallel, among other defining properties.

main image
Description of image
Explore the internet with AstroSafe
Search safely, manage screen time, and remove ads and inappropriate content with the AstroSafe Browser.
Download
Inside this Article
Ancient Greek
Rectangle
Geometry
Building
Did you know?
๐Ÿ“ A parallelogram is a four-sided shape (quadrilateral) with opposite sides that are parallel and equal in length.
๐Ÿ”บ The opposite angles in a parallelogram are equal.
๐ŸŸฆ The diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other.
๐Ÿ“ The sum of the interior angles of a parallelogram is 360 degrees.
๐Ÿ”„ A rectangle and a rhombus are both types of parallelograms.
โš–๏ธ The area of a parallelogram can be calculated using the formula: Area = base ร— height.
๐Ÿพ The opposite sides of a parallelogram are congruent.
โœจ A square is a special type of parallelogram with all sides and angles equal.
๐Ÿš€ Parallelograms can be tilted and still maintain their properties.
๐Ÿ“Š The perimeter of a parallelogram is calculated as: P = 2(length + width).
Show Less
Description of image
Become a Creator with DIY.org
A safe online space featuring over 5,000 challenges to create, explore and learn in.
Learn more
Overview
A parallelogram is a special type of shape in the world of geometry! ๐Ÿ“

It has four sides and is known for its interesting properties. One fun fun fact is that opposite sides are equal in length and parallel! This means that theyโ€™ll never meet, no matter how far you extend them. Famous examples of parallelograms include rectangles and rhombuses. Parallelograms are found everywhere around us, from the design of doors to the shapes of tables! ๐Ÿ 

They play a vital role in architecture and art, making them exciting to learn about!
Read Less
Types of Parallelograms
There are several types of parallelograms! A rectangle has four right angles (90 degrees) and opposite sides are equal. ๐ŸŸฆ

A rhombus has sides that are all the same length, but the angles can vary. It looks like a diamond! ๐Ÿ’Ž

A square is a special kind of rectangle and rhombus; it has equal sides and four right angles! Finally, we have the irregular parallelogram, which doesnโ€™t fit into the previous categories but still follows the main rules. Each type has its own charm, and they all share the common property of being parallelograms!
Read Less
Parallelograms in Geometry
In geometry, parallelograms are used to study shapes and their properties. ๐Ÿ“Š

They belong to a category called quadrilaterals since they have four sides. Parallelograms help us learn about the relationships between angles and sides! When solving geometry problems, knowing properties of parallelograms allows us to find missing lengths and angles, and calculate areas. Parallelograms also relate to other geometric ideas, like symmetry and transformation. Learning about them gives you tools to understand and analyze many different shapes! ๐Ÿ“

Read Less
Definition of Parallelogram
A parallelogram is a four-sided shape called a quadrilateral. โœ

๏ธ It has two pairs of opposite sides that are equal in length and parallel to each other. This means that if you draw a line extending from both sides, they will never cross each other! The angles in a parallelogram add up to 360 degrees. Some common types of parallelograms are rectangles, rhombuses, and squares! They all have their unique characteristics, but they share the key feature of having opposing sides that are equal and parallel!
Read Less
Properties of Parallelograms
Here are some cool properties of parallelograms! ๐Ÿ—

๏ธ First, opposite sides are equal in length (A = B and C = D). Second, opposite angles are equal too! If angle A is 60 degrees, then angle C is also 60 degrees. Third, the diagonals (the lines connecting opposite corners) bisect each other โ€” they cut each other in half! Lastly, the area can be calculated using the formula: Area = base ร— height. ๐ŸŒŸ

Pretty neat, right? Parallelograms are special shapes with lots of helpful features, making them useful in art and engineering!
Read Less
Formulas Involving Parallelograms
When working with parallelograms, you can use some simple formulas to find important measurements! ๐Ÿ“

The area of a parallelogram is calculated using the formula: Area = base ร— height. The perimeter (the distance around the shape) can be found using the formula: Perimeter = 2 ร— (length + width). ๐ŸŒ

If your shape has sides that are not equal, you can still find its area if you know the height and base! Learning these formulas helps us solve problems involving parallelograms, making math more fun and easier!
Read Less
Historical Context of Parallelograms
People have known about parallelograms for thousands of years! ๐Ÿ“œ

The ancient Greek mathematician Euclid studied shapes and wrote a book called "Elements" around 300 BC, where he explained the properties of parallelograms. Other great mathematicians, like Archimedes, also explored parallelograms and helped develop geometry. ๐ŸŒ

Today, we use geometry in various fields such as engineering, art, and design. Understanding the history of parallelograms helps us appreciate how far mathematics has come and the important role these shapes play in our lives! ๐Ÿ“

Read Less
Interactive Activities and Resources
Want to have some fun learning about parallelograms? ๐ŸŽ‰

Try these activities! First, grab a ruler and sketch different types of parallelograms, measuring side lengths and angles! Next, use objects from around your home that resemble parallelograms, like books or picture frames, and see how they match the properties we learned. You can also find online games and videos on websites like Khan Academy or PBS Kids to learn about shapes! ๐Ÿ“š

Share your findings with friends or family, and show them your creative parallelogram designs! Let's get geometry fun!
Read Less
Real-World Applications of Parallelograms
Parallelograms are everywhere in the real world! ๐Ÿ› 

๏ธ Architects use them in building designs, as they create strong and stable structures. You can see parallelograms in furniture designs, like tables and shelves! In art, artists might use parallelogram shapes to create interesting patterns and designs. Even in sports, like soccer, the field is sometimes marked with parallelograms! ๐ŸŒ

Understanding how parallelograms work helps us appreciate their presence in our daily lives. Keep an eye out for them everywhere you go!
Read Less

Try your luck with the Parallelogram Quiz.

Try this Parallelogram quiz and see how many you score!
Q1
Question 1 of 10
Next
Explore More