Learn the Properties
1Check the sides.
How many are equal? How many pairs are parallel?
2Check the angles.
Right angles? A square and rectangle have four each.
3Use the family tree.
A square is a special rectangle AND a special rhombus. Names nest inside each other.
Worked Example
Which quadrilateral am I?
Watch Out! Common Mistakes
It is! A rectangle needs opposite sides equal and four right angles — a square has all of that (and more). Special cases keep the family name.
Check the sides! Both have two pairs of parallel sides, but a rhombus has all four sides equal.
Count the parallel pairs! A trapezium (UK) has exactly one pair of parallel sides. Two pairs makes it a parallelogram.
⬇ Cheat Sheet
- Square: 4 equal sides + 4 right angles.
- Rectangle: opposite sides equal + 4 right angles.
- Parallelogram: 2 pairs parallel. Rhombus: parallelogram with 4 equal sides.
- Trapezium: exactly 1 pair parallel. All quadrilaterals: angles total 360°.
📖 Continue Your Journey
Quick summary
- Quadrilaterals have 4 sides and angles totalling 360°.
- Square: 4 equal sides, 4 right angles. Rectangle: opposite sides equal, 4 right angles.
- Parallelogram: 2 pairs of parallel sides; rhombus adds 4 equal sides.
- Trapezium (UK): exactly one pair of parallel sides.
Frequently asked questions
Is a square a rectangle?
Yes. A rectangle needs opposite sides equal and four right angles; a square satisfies both, so it's a special rectangle (and a special rhombus too).
What is the difference between a rhombus and a parallelogram?
Both have two pairs of parallel sides, but a rhombus also has all four sides equal — it's a parallelogram with extra properties.
What is a trapezium?
In UK usage, a quadrilateral with exactly one pair of parallel sides. (In the US the same shape is called a trapezoid.)
Continue your child's learning journey
with the MindBlaze app.
Fun daily learning missions for children. Clear progress insights for parents — helping every child start secondary school ready to learn.
