Isosceles Trapezoids
 


Isosceles Trapezoid                                                                       Square                                          Rectangle


 

Isosceles trapezoids have at least one set of opposite sides that are parallel (generally, the base and it's opposite.)  The non-base sides are equal in length to eachother.  Also, the base angles are equal to eachother.  That is, the interior angles located at points E and F on the above Isosceles Trapezoid are equal.  This particular characteristic eliminates the possibility of a Isosceles trapezoid being manipulated into a general parallelogram.


So, can an Isosceles Trapezoid produce a...........?

Square?  Rectangle? Yes, all of them.  The isosceles trapezoid that has all 4 sides equal is a special case called a square.  The isosceles trapezoid that has 2 sets of parallel sides is a special case also, called a rectangle.

Parallelogram?  Yes, only some.  The type of parallelogram that cannot be produced is demonstrated above.

Trapezoid?  Yes, only some though.  Only isosceles trapezoids!

Rhombus?  Yes, only some.  If the isosceles trapezoid is manipulated to have 4 equal sides (a square!) then it is a special case called a rhombus.

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