What does trapezoid mean in math

Parallelograms with special features, like right angles or all congruent sides or both , are given their own distinctive names: rectangle, rhombus, and square. The only special feature of a trapezoid that is awarded its own distinctive name is the second pair of parallel sides, which makes the special trapezoid a parallelogram. No other distinctive names are used for trapezoids with special features like right angles or three congruent sides.

Shape: Trapezoid. Shape: Trapezoid Topics: Mathematical Language. Mathematical Domain: Geometry. Meaning A trapezoid is a quadrilateral with at least one pair of parallel sides. Classifying trapezoids Parallelograms with special features, like right angles or all congruent sides or both , are given their own distinctive names: rectangle, rhombus, and square. Related posts. Shape: Equiangular Read more.

Alignments to Content Standards: 4. Student View. Task Say what a trapezoid is in your own words. Compare your definition with a partner. Is this parallelogram a trapezoid according to your definition? IM Commentary The purpose of this task is for students to articulate a definition for a trapezoid.

There are two competing definitions for "trapezoid": The exclusive definition of a trapezoid states that a trapezoid has exactly one pair of opposite sides parallel. Solution A trapezoid is a quadrilateral with one pair of opposite sides parallel. It can have right angles a right trapezoid , and it can have congruent sides isosceles , but those are not required. Sometimes people define trapezoids to have at least one pair of opposite sides parallel, and sometimes say there is one and only one pair of opposite sides parallel.

The parallelogram fits the "at least one" version of the definition because it has two pairs of opposite sides parallel, therefore it falls into the category of being both a trapezoid and a parallelogram. The parallelogram does not fit the "one and only one" version of the definition. So how students answer this depends on their definition. Say what a trapezoid is in your own words. Print Task.