Difference between revisions of "Trapezoid"

m (defined legs, bases)
Line 1: Line 1:
A '''trapezoid''' is a geometric figure that lies in a plane.  Trapezoids are characterized by having one pair of [[parallel]] sides.  In general it is probably safe to assume that "one pair" means "exactly one pair," so that [[parallelogram]]s are not also trapezoids.  However, it is not clear that this is a universal [[mathematical convention]].  
+
A '''trapezoid''' is a geometric figure that lies in a plane.  Trapezoids are characterized by having one pair of [[parallel]] sides.  In general it is probably safe to assume that "one pair" means "exactly one pair," so that [[parallelogram]]s are not also trapezoids.  However, it is not clear that this is a universal [[mathematical convention]].
 +
 
 +
The two parallel sides of the trapezoid are referred to as the ''bases'' of the trapezoid; the other two sides are called the ''legs''.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
  
 
* [[isosceles trapezoid|Isosceles Trapezoid]]
 
* [[isosceles trapezoid|Isosceles Trapezoid]]

Revision as of 10:45, 12 July 2006

A trapezoid is a geometric figure that lies in a plane. Trapezoids are characterized by having one pair of parallel sides. In general it is probably safe to assume that "one pair" means "exactly one pair," so that parallelograms are not also trapezoids. However, it is not clear that this is a universal mathematical convention.

The two parallel sides of the trapezoid are referred to as the bases of the trapezoid; the other two sides are called the legs.

See also