What is the Difference Between Parallelogram and Rectangle?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main differences between a parallelogram and a rectangle are the angles and the diagonals. Here is a comparison of their properties:

Parallelogram:

  • Opposite sides are parallel and equal.
  • Opposite angles are equal, but not necessarily right angles.
  • Diagonals are unequal and bisect each other.

Rectangle:

  • Opposite sides are parallel and equal, with all adjacent sides being perpendicular to each other.
  • All four angles are right angles (90 degrees).
  • Diagonals are equal and bisect each other at different angles.

A rectangle is a special case of a parallelogram, as it fulfills all the requirements of a parallelogram while having additional properties, such as all right angles and equal diagonals.

Comparative Table: Parallelogram vs Rectangle

The main difference between a parallelogram and a rectangle is that a rectangle is a special type of parallelogram with four right angles, while the angles in a parallelogram need not be 90 degrees. Here is a table highlighting the differences between a parallelogram and a rectangle:

Property Parallelogram Rectangle
Sides Opposite sides are equal. Opposite sides are equal.
Diagonals Unequal diagonals bisect each other. Equal diagonals bisect each other at different angles.
Angles Opposite angles are equal and adjacent angles are supplementary. Opposite angles and adjacent angles are equal.

Both parallelograms and rectangles have opposite sides parallel and equal in length. A rectangle is a special case of a parallelogram, where each pair of adjacent sides is perpendicular. In contrast, a parallelogram is a special case of a trapezium, where both pairs of opposite sides are parallel and equal in length.