ParallelogrammSeitenflächen

A parallelogram is a quadrilateral with two pairs of parallel sides. This fundamental geometric shape possesses several key properties. Opposite sides of a parallelogram are equal in length, and opposite angles are also equal. Consecutive angles within a parallelogram are supplementary, meaning they add up to 180 degrees.

The diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other, meaning they intersect at their midpoints. Unlike other quadrilaterals, the diagonals of a general parallelogram are not necessarily equal in length, nor do they necessarily bisect the angles. The area of a parallelogram can be calculated by multiplying the length of its base by its perpendicular height.

Special types of parallelograms include rectangles, rhombuses, and squares. A rectangle is a parallelogram with four right angles. A rhombus is a parallelogram with four equal sides. A square is a parallelogram that is both a rectangle and a rhombus, possessing four right angles and four equal sides. The study of parallelograms is a foundational element in Euclidean geometry.