When it comes to geometry, two of the most common shapes that are often confused are Trapezoids and Rhombuses. Although both shapes appear similar in appearance, they have distinct differences.
In this article, we will discuss the differences between Trapezoids and Rhombuses, along with the various characteristics, formulas, and properties associated with each shape.
What is a Trapezoid?
A Trapezoid also referred to as a Trapezium, is a quadrilateral with two parallel sides and two non-parallel sides. The non-parallel sides, also known as legs, are of different lengths.
In a Trapezoid, the parallel sides are called the bases. The distance between the two bases is the height of the Trapezoid. The median of a Trapezoid is a line segment that connects the midpoints of the non-parallel sides.
A Trapezoid can be classified as either an Isosceles Trapezoid or a Scalene Trapezoid, depending on the lengths of its legs.
Characteristics of a Trapezoid:
– Two parallel sides and two non-parallel sides
– Legs of unequal lengths
– One pair of opposite angles are congruent
– The diagonals of a Trapezoid bisect each other
– The area of a Trapezoid can be calculated using the formula: Area = ½ (b1 + b2) × h (where b1 and b2 are the lengths of the bases, and h is the height)
What is a Rhombus?
A Rhombus, also known as a Diamond, is a quadrilateral with four equal sides. The opposite sides of a Rhombus are parallel to each other, and the opposite angles are equal.
Each diagonal of a Rhombus bisects two opposite angles. The diagonals of a Rhombus bisect each other at a right angle. The interior angles of a Rhombus add up to 360 degrees.
Characteristics of a Rhombus:
– Four equal sides
– Opposite angles are equal
– Diagonals bisect each other at right angles
– Diagonals bisect opposite angles
– The area of a Rhombus can be calculated using the formula: Area = base × height
Difference between Trapezoid and Rhombus:
1. Number of Parallel Sides:
The primary difference between a Trapezoid and a Rhombus is the number of parallel sides. While a Trapezoid has only two parallel sides, a Rhombus has all four sides parallel to each other.
2. Length of Sides:
In a Trapezoid, the two legs are not of equal length, while the sides of a Rhombus are all equal in length.
3. Congruent Angles:
A Trapezoid has one pair of opposite angles that are congruent, while a Rhombus has opposite angles that are equal.
4. Diagonal Properties:
The properties of the diagonals also differ in both shapes. The diagonals of a Trapezoid bisect each other, while the diagonals of a Rhombus intersect at right angles.
5. Overall Shape:
The Trapezoid has a trapezoidal shape with parallel sides, while the Rhombus has a diamond shape with non-parallel sides.
How to Remember the Difference:
It is not uncommon to get confused between the two shapes due to their similar appearance. A useful trick to differentiate between a Trapezoid and a Rhombus is to remember that the word “Trapezoid” sounds like the word “Sunrise,” and the parallel sides of a Trapezoid are often compared to the horizon during sunrise.
On the other hand, the Rhombus can be remembered by its diamond shape, which is reminiscent of a baseball diamond or a diamond engagement ring.
Conclusion:
In summary, both Trapezoids and Rhombuses are quadrilaterals that have distinct differences in terms of their shapes, sides, angles, and diagonals. Understanding the differences between the two shapes is essential in solving problems related to geometry.
The key takeaways are that Trapezoids have two parallel sides, legs of unequal length, and opposite angles that are congruent. In comparison, Rhombuses have all four sides equal in length, opposite angles that are equal, diagonals that bisect each other at right angles, and a diamond shape.
By keeping these properties in mind, it is easy to differentiate between Trapezoids and Rhombuses accurately.