Question 1

What is the difference between a parallelogram and a rectangle?

Accepted Answer

A rectangle is a parallelogram with right angles (90 degrees). In a regular parallelogram, the angles are not right angles.

Question 2

Why do we use height and not the side length for area?

Accepted Answer

Area is the enclosed space, and to calculate it accurately we need the perpendicular distance (height), not the slant distance.

Question 3

What is a rhombus and how does it relate to parallelograms?

Accepted Answer

A rhombus is a parallelogram with all four sides equal. Its area = (diagonal1 × diagonal2) / 2.

Question 4

How do I find the height if I know the area and base?

Accepted Answer

Height = Area / Base. Divide the area by the length of the base.

Question 5

Are the diagonals of a parallelogram equal?

Accepted Answer

No, the diagonals of a regular parallelogram are not equal, but they do bisect each other. The diagonals are only equal in rectangles.

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