Intermediate Geometry : Parallelograms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Intermediate Geometry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Length Of The Diagonal Of A Parallelogram

The length of a parallelogram is \(\displaystyle 12\) cm and the width is \(\displaystyle 5\) cm. One of its diagonals measures \(\displaystyle 14\) cm. Find the length of the other diagonal.  

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 3\sqrt{3}cm\)

\(\displaystyle 4\sqrt{38}cm\)

None of the other answers.

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{142}cm\) 

\(\displaystyle 2\sqrt{38}cm\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{142}cm\) 

Explanation:

The formula for the relationship between diagonals and sides of a parallologram is

 \(\displaystyle (d_{1})^{2} + (d_{2})^{2} = 2a^{2} + 2b^{2}\),

where \(\displaystyle d_{1}\) represents one diagonal, 

\(\displaystyle d_{2}\) represents the other diagonal, 

\(\displaystyle a\) represents a side, and 

\(\displaystyle b\) represents the adjoining side.  

So, in this problem, substitute the known values and solve for the missing diagonal. 

\(\displaystyle 14^{2} + (d_{2})^{2} = 2(12)^{2} + 2(5)^{2} \rightarrow 196 + d^{2} = 288 + 50\)

\(\displaystyle \rightarrow d^{2} = 142 \rightarrow d = \sqrt{142}\)

So, the missing diagonal is \(\displaystyle \sqrt{142}\) cm.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Length Of The Diagonal Of A Parallelogram

Parallogram

In the parallogram above, find the length of the labeled diagonal.

 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 14\)

\(\displaystyle 52\)

None of the other answers.

\(\displaystyle 26\)

\(\displaystyle 12\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 52\)

Explanation:

In a parallogram, diagonals bisect one another, thus you can set the two segments that are labeled in the picture equal to one another, then solve for \(\displaystyle x\).  

So, 

\(\displaystyle 2x - 2 = x + 12 \rightarrow x = 14\).

If \(\displaystyle x = 14\), then you can substitute 14 into each labeled segment, to get a total of 52.

\(\displaystyle 2(14)-2+14+12\)

\(\displaystyle 28-2+14+12=52\)

Example Question #3 : Parallelograms

In the parallogram below, find the length of the labeled diagonal.

Parallelogram2

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 1\)

\(\displaystyle 20\)

None of the other answers.

\(\displaystyle 40\)

\(\displaystyle 6\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 40\)

Explanation:

In a parallelogram, the diagonals bisect one another, so you can set the labeled segments equal to each other and then solve for \(\displaystyle x\).  

\(\displaystyle x + 14 = 5x - 10 \rightarrow 24 = 4x \rightarrow 6 = x\).  

If \(\displaystyle x = 6\), then you substitute 6 into each labeled segment, to get a total of 40.

\(\displaystyle 6+14+5(6)-10\)

\(\displaystyle 20+30-10=40\)

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Length Of The Diagonal Of A Parallelogram

Para3

In the parallelogram above, find the length of the labeled diagonal.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 5.6\)

None of the other answers.

\(\displaystyle 11.2\)

\(\displaystyle 9.6\)

\(\displaystyle 4.8\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 11.2\)

Explanation:

In a parallelogram, the diagonals bisect each other, so you can set the labeled segments equal to one another and then solve for \(\displaystyle x\)

\(\displaystyle 20 - 3x = 2x - 4 \rightarrow 24 = 5x \rightarrow 4.8 = x\).  

Then, substitute 4.8 for \(\displaystyle x\) in each labeled segment to get a total of 11.2 for the diagonal length.

\(\displaystyle 20-3(4.8)+2(4.8)-4\)

\(\displaystyle 20-14.4+9.6-4=11.2\)

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Length Of The Diagonal Of A Parallelogram

Suppose a square has an area of 6.  What is the diagonal of the parallelogram?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 3\sqrt2\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3\sqrt2}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle 2\sqrt3\)

\(\displaystyle 6\sqrt2\)

\(\displaystyle 3\sqrt3\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2\sqrt3\)

Explanation:

Write the formula to find the side of the square given the area.

\(\displaystyle A=s^2\)

Find the side.

\(\displaystyle 6=s^2\)

\(\displaystyle s=\sqrt6\)

The diagonal of the square can be solved by using the Pythagorean Theorem.

\(\displaystyle a^2+b^2=c^2\)

\(\displaystyle a=b=s=\sqrt6\)

Substitute and solve for the diagonal, \(\displaystyle c\).

\(\displaystyle (\sqrt6)^2+(\sqrt6)^2 =c^2\)

\(\displaystyle 6+6=c^2\)

\(\displaystyle c^2=12\)

\(\displaystyle c=\sqrt{12}=2\sqrt3\)

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Length Of The Diagonal Of A Parallelogram

If the side length of a square is \(\displaystyle 3a\), what is the diagonal of the square?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle a\sqrt6\)

\(\displaystyle 3a\sqrt2\)

\(\displaystyle a^2\sqrt6\)

\(\displaystyle 3a^2\sqrt2\)

\(\displaystyle 9a\sqrt2\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3a\sqrt2\)

Explanation:

Write the diagonal formula for a square.

\(\displaystyle d=s\sqrt2\)

Substitute the side length and reduce.

\(\displaystyle d=3a\sqrt2\)

Example Question #171 : Quadrilaterals

Parallelogram \(\displaystyle ABCD\) has diagonals \(\displaystyle \overline{AC}\) and \(\displaystyle \overline{BD}\)\(\displaystyle AC = 12\) and \(\displaystyle BD = 6\).

True, false, or undetermined: Parallelogram \(\displaystyle ABCD\) is a rectangle.

Possible Answers:

False

Undetermined

True

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

One characteristic of a rectangle is that its diagonals are congruent. Since the diagonals of Parallelogram \(\displaystyle ABCD\) are of different lengths, it cannot be a rectangle.

Example Question #1 : Parallelograms

Parallelogram \(\displaystyle ABCD\) has diagonals \(\displaystyle \overline{AC}\) and \(\displaystyle \overline{BD}\)\(\displaystyle AC = 12\) and \(\displaystyle BD = 6\).

True, false, or undetermined: Parallelogram \(\displaystyle ABCD\) is a rhombus.

Possible Answers:

False

True 

Undetermined

Correct answer:

Undetermined

Explanation:

One characteristic of a rhombus is that its diagonals are perpendicular; no restrictions exist as to their lengths. Whether or not the diagonals are perpendicular is not stated, so the figure may or may not be a rhombus.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Perimeter Of A Parallelogram

Parallelogram_custom_2

Find the perimeter of the parallelogram shown above. 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \small 26\)

\(\displaystyle \small 19\)

\(\displaystyle \small 48\)

\(\displaystyle \small 40\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \small 26\)

Explanation:

In order to find the perimeter of this parallelogram, apply the formula: 
\(\displaystyle \small Perimeter=2(base+side)\).

The solution is:

\(\displaystyle \small P=2(8+5)\)

\(\displaystyle \small \small P=2(13)=26\)

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Perimeter Of A Parallelogram

Parallelogram_custom_3

Find the perimeter of the parallelogram shown above. 

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \small 112\)

\(\displaystyle \small 224\)

\(\displaystyle \small 248\)

\(\displaystyle \small 110\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \small 224\)

Explanation:

To find the perimeter of this parallelogram, first find the length of the side: \(\displaystyle \small h\times\frac{1}{3}\).

Since, \(\displaystyle \small h=48\), the side must be \(\displaystyle \small 48\div 3=16\).

Then apply the formula: 

\(\displaystyle \small p=2(base+side)\)

\(\displaystyle \small p=2(96+16)\)

\(\displaystyle \small p=2(112)=224\)

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