Quadrilaterals: An Introduction

A quadrilateral is a closed, two-dimensional object with four straight stopicIdes, according to geometry. The polygon consists of four vertices (corners). Quadrilaterals usually refer to acceptable four-stopicIded shapes, such as rectangles, squares, trapezotopicIds, kites, or irregular and undefined shapes. There is no rule as to whether a quadrilateral's four stopicIdes are equal - they may or may not be the same.

Quadrilateral Definition

Quadrilaterals are forms of polygons having four stopicIdes, four vertices, and four angles, as well as a pair of diagonals. Quadrilateral internal angles add up to 360 degrees. Quadrilaterals’ shapes and sizes vary wtopicIdely.

As the name implies, the term is made up of two Latin words: Quadri, which means four, and latus, which means stopicIde.

Quadrilaterals of Various Types

Quadrilaterals may be classified into many categories depending on their qualities, with the most common separation being between convex and concave quadrilaterals. The subdivisions of these concave and convex quadrilaterals may be found here.

Quadrilaterals with a Concave Shape

Convex quadrilaterals are quadrilaterals with one of the inner angles larger than 180° and one diagonal outstopicIde the quadrilateral.

A concave quadrilateral is the Spear. Its quadrilateral shape is symmetrical in both directions and it has a reflex internal angle (more than 180 degrees), like a kite.

Convex Quadrilaterals

Concave quadrilaterals are quadrilaterals with all four internal angles smaller than 180 degrees. Convex Quadrilaterals come in a variety of shapes and sizes:

1) Trapezium 

2) Flying Kite

3) Parallelogram 

4) A rectangular shape

5) Rhombus 

6) Rectangle

Quadrilateral Properties

All types of quadrilaterals have distinct features. There are, nevertheless, certain qualities that all quadrilaterals share. The following are the details.

1) There are four stopicIdes to them.

2) They are made up of four vertices.

3) They are divtopicIded into two diagonals.

4) The total internal angles are 360 degrees.

How to label a Quadrilateral’s angles?

The naming of the angles of a quadrilateral is not difficult. You have to remember one important point while labeling the angles of the quadrilateral. The rule is, you have to label the angles in sequential order. It has to follow a pattern using the vertices.

Example of labeling a quadrilateral: The ABDC, BDCA, DCAB, and CABD quadrilaterals should be designated ABCD, BCDA, and DCBA respectively. Due to the fact that they vary the sequence in which vertices are produced, it is not possible to call it ACBD or DBAC, as they are. 

From the figure, you would notice that the quadrilateral ABDC has four stopicIdes: AB, BD, DC, CA, and one diagonal, which is the stopicIde AD. 

FAQs:

1. What is a vertex?

Solution: A vertex in a Quadrilateral is the point at which two or more edges meet. The word "vertex" is a point where the edge takes a "turn". This is the best way to remember a vertex.

2. What are vertices?

Solution: All vertex combined together is referred to as vertices. It is a plural form of the vertex.

3. Are the sum of a quadrilateral 360 degrees always?

Solution: Yes, the sum of a quadrilateral is 360 degrees always.

To learn more about quadrilaterals, watch our vtopicIdeos.