Constructing Quadrilaterals
Construct quadrilaterals using dynamic geometry
In the following practical activity, you will use your knowledge of the properties of quadrilaterals to construct your own shapes on a computer. You will be given clues as how to make these shapes, but as you gain in expertise and confidence, the clues will become more challenging. Before we get started, let’s have a quick Kahoot! quiz to see what properties of the quadrilaterals you know.
Play this Kahoot! Game to check knowledge of quadrilateral names and some properties
Wiggle Proof
Both of the following shapes look like squares, but try and move their points. Only one of them will keep its properties of a square. It is ‘wiggle-proof’!
The aim of the following activity is to try to construct your own ‘wiggle-proof’ quadrilaterals. For each of the shapes that you make, pull it, push it, stretch it and squash it! Give it a good wiggle to see if it stays looking like the shape you made. If it doesn’t, it is not wiggle proof.
Kite
The diagonals of a kite are always at right angles to one another.
The kite has one line of symmetry. Can you complete this shape to make a ‘wiggle-proof’ kite?
Trapezium or Trapezoid
A trapezium or trapezoid has one pair of parallel sides.
Create a line that is parallel to this segment and goes through the point. Can you complete this shape to make a ‘wiggle-proof’ trapezium?
Parallelogram
A parallelogram has two pairs of parallel sides.
Create a line that this parallel to the red segment. It should go through point C.
Can you complete this shape to make a ‘wiggle-proof’ parallelogram?
Rectangle
A rectangle has two pairs of parallel sides AND the sides meet at right angles.
Create a line perpendicular to this segment.
Put a point on your line.
Can you complete this shape to make a ‘wiggle-proof’ rectangle?
Rhombus
A rhombus has all sides equal AND two pairs of parallel sides.
Create a segment that is the same length as the red segment.
Can you complete this shape to make a ‘wiggle-proof’ rhombus?
Square
A square has all sides equal, two pairs of parallel sides AND the sides meet at right angles.
Can you complete this shape to make a ‘wiggle-proof’ square?