Exploring parallelograms and their

relationships to triangles and squares.

Note: This problem requires 5 proofs. Therefore, I will be creating five different proofs. Please
refer to the claim to see which what I will be proving.
Problem of equivalence part 1

Let ABCD be a quadrilateral. Prove that the following statements are

equivalent:
1. ABCD is a parallelogram.
2. Opposite sides are congruent.
3. Opposite angles are congruent.
4. Diagonals bisect each other.
5. Consecutive angles are supplementary.
Picture

D
mADC = 140.03°
3 4
mABC = 140.03°
6 9 8
mDAB = 39.97° A 5 E 7
10 C
mDCB = 39.97° 1 2

B
Claim: Brainstorm how prove the claim:
(i): ABCD is a parallelogram implies opposite
angles are congruent. 1. AD || BC means that ∡3 ≅ ∡2 and
∡6 ≅ ∡7.
2. AB || DC means that ∡1 ≅∡4 and
∡5 ≅ ∡8

3. So ∡3 + ∡4 ≅ ∡2 +∡1 which means ∠ D ≅ ∠ B.

4. So, ∡6 + ∡5 ≅ ∡7 +∡ 8 which means ∠ A ≅ ∠ C.

Proof
To show (i), assume AD || BC and AB || DC. Let ∠1 through ∠ 10 be defined as in the
diagram. Since AD || BC then ∡3 ≅ ∡2 and ∡6 ≅ ∡7 (alternate interior angles). Since
AB || DC then ∡1 ≅∡4 and ∡5 ≅ ∡8 (alternate interior angles).
Therefore, ∡3 + ∡4 ≅ ∡2 +∡1 and ∡6 + ∡5 ≅ ∡7 +∡ 8. Thus, we have shown that
opposite angles are congruent. QED
Problem of equivalence part 2

Let ABCD be a quadrilateral. Prove that the following statements are

equivalent:
1. ABCD is a parallelogram.
2. Opposite sides are congruent.
3. Opposite angles are congruent.
4. Diagonals bisect each other.
5. Consecutive angles are supplementary.
Picture

mADC = 140.03° D
mDCB = 39.97° 3 4
mCBA = 140.03° 6 9 8
mBAD = 39.97°
A 5 E 7
10 C
mADC + mDCB = 180.00° 1 2
mCBA + mBAD = 180.00°
B
Claim: Brainstorm how prove the claim:
(ii): Opposite angles are congruent implies
consecutive sides are supplementary. 1. We know the sum of the interior
angles of quadrilateral ABCD is 360°.
2. Opposite angles congruent means
∡6 + ∡5 ≅ ∡7 +∡ 8 and
∡3 + ∡4 ≅ ∡2 +∡1, or, ∠ A ≅ ∠ C and
∠ D ≅ ∠ B.

3. So, ∠ A + ∠ C + ∠ D + ∠ C = 360°, or, 2* (∠ A) + 2*(∠ B) = 360°, ∠ A+ ∠ B = 180°.

Proof
Since ABCD is quadrilateral, then the sum of the interior angles equals 360°. Now, because
opposite angles are congruent, let ∡6 + ∡5 ≅ ∡7 +∡ 8 = γ° and ∡3 + ∡4 ≅ ∡2 +∡1 = α°
where γ° and α° are the measurements of the interior angles. Hence,

γ° + α° + γ° + α° = 360°
2α° + 2γ° = 360°
α° + γ° = 180°.
Thus, consecutive angles are supplementary. QED
Problem of equivalence part 3

Let ABCD be a quadrilateral. Prove that the following statements are

equivalent:
1. ABCD is a parallelogram.
2. Opposite sides are congruent.
3. Opposite angles are congruent.
4. Diagonals bisect each other.
5. Consecutive angles are supplementary.
Picture

D
3 4
6 11 9 8
A 5
10 E 12 7
C
1 2

B
Claim: Brainstorm how prove the claim:
(iii): Consecutive angles are supplementary
implies that the diagonals bisect each other. 1. △ AED ~ △ BEC by AA since
∡11 ≅ ∡12 and…

2. We know ∡ 3 + ∡ 4 + ∡ 8 + ∡ 7 = 180° and ∡ 3 + ∡ 4 + ∡ 6 + ∡ 8 = 180°, or, ∡ 7 ≅ ∡ 6.

3. ∡ 7 ≅ ∡ 3 and so ∡ 3 ≅ ∡ 6

4. So, ∠ A + ∠ C + ∠ D + ∠ C = 360°, or, 2* (∠ A) + 2*(∠ B) = 360°, ∠ A+ ∠ B = 180°.

Proof

To show (iii), notice that ∡ 3 + ∡ 4 + ∡ 8 + ∡ 7 = 180° (consecutive angles) and ∡ 3 + ∡ 4

+ ∡ 6 + ∡ 8 = 180° (the sum of interior angles of a triangle). Thus, ∡ 7 ≅ ∡ 6. Because
∡ 7 ≅ ∡ 3 (corresponding angles), we have that ∡ 3 ≅ ∡ 6. Since ∠ 11 ≅ ∠12 (vertical
𝐴𝐸 𝐵𝐸 𝐴𝐷
angles), then △ AED ~ △ BEC by AA Similarity. Hence, = = = 1. Thus,
𝐸𝐶 𝐸𝐷 𝐵𝐶
AE ≅ EC and BE ≅ ED. We have shown that AC bisects BD. QED
Problem of equivalence part 4

Let ABCD be a quadrilateral. Prove that the following statements are

equivalent:
1. ABCD is a parallelogram.
2. Opposite sides are congruent.
3. Opposite angles are congruent.
4. Diagonals bisect each other.
5. Consecutive angles are supplementary.
Picture

m AD = 3.29 cm
D
m CB = 3.29 cm 3 4
6 11 9 8
m AB = 5.81 cm A 5
10 E 12 7
C
m DC = 5.81 cm 1 2

B
Claim: Brainstorm how prove the claim:
(iv): Diagonals bisect each other implies that
the opposite sides are congruent. 1. △ AEB ≅ △ BEC by SAS
2. AB ≅ CD
3. △ AEB ≅ △ BEC by SAS
4. DA ≅ BC

Proof

Assume that AC bisects BD and label the point of intersection E. Consider △ AEB and △ CED. Since
AE ≅ CE, BE ≅ DE (AC bisects BD) and ∠ AEB ≅ ∠ CED (vertical angles), then
△ AED ≅ △ CED by SAS. Thus, AB ≅ CD by CPCTC. Next, consider △ AED and △ CEB. Since
DE ≅ BE, AE ≅ CE (AC bisects BD) and ∠ AED ≅ ∠ CEB (vertical angles), then △ AED ≅ △ CEB
by SAS. So, DA ≅ BC by CPCTC. Since AB ≅ CD and DA ≅ BC, we can conclude that sides of
the parallelogram are congruent. QED
Problem of equivalence part 5

Let ABCD be a quadrilateral. Prove that the following statements are

equivalent:
1. ABCD is a parallelogram.
2. Opposite sides are congruent.
3. Opposite angles are congruent.
4. Diagonals bisect each other.
5. Consecutive angles are supplementary.
Picture

D m AB = 5.81 cm
m DC = 5.81 cm
3 4
6 11 9 8
A 5
10 E 12 7
C
1 2
m AD = 3.29 cm
m CB = 3.29 cm B

Claim: Brainstorm how prove the claim:

(v): Opposite sides are congruent implies that
ABCD is a parallelogram. 1. △ ABC ≅ △ CDA by SSS
2. ∠ BAC ≅ ∠ DCA and
∠ BCA ≅ ∠ DAC by CPCTC

3. We know alternate interior angles imply that AD || BC and AB || DC, which by

definition is a parallelogram.

Proof
Assume that AB ≅ DC and AD ≅ BC. Now, consider △ ABC and △ CDA. Since AB ≅ DC,
AD ≅ BC and AC ≅ AC, then △ ABC ≅ △ CDA by SSS. Hence, ∠ BAC ≅ ∠ DCA and
∠ BCA ≅ ∠ DAC by CPCTC. Therefore, by alternate interior angles, AD || BC and
AB || DC. Thus, ABCD is a parallelogram. QED
Exercise

Construct parallelogram ABCD with equilateral triangles ABF and ADE on sides AB and AD
respectively. Prove triangle FCE is equilateral.
Picture Statement Reason
ABCD is a parallelogram, Given
equilateral triangles ABF
and ADE are on sides AB
and AD respectively
∡ CDA ≅ ∡ ABC = α ° Opposite angles in a
parallelogram are
congruent
∡ ABF ≅ ∡ ADE = 60 ° Definition of
equilaterial triangle
∡ FBC ≅ ∡CDE = 360°- Subtraction postulate
F
(60° + α° ).
FB ≅ CD and BC ≅ DE Opposite sides of a
parallelogram are
B congruent and
C equilateral sides in a
triangle are congruent.
A
D
△ FBC ≅ △CDE SAS
CF ≅ EC CPCTC
∡ FAE = 60° + γ° + 60° Definition of an
= 120° + γ° Angle, Algebra,
= 120° + (180°- consectuaive angle are
α°) suplementary
E = 300° – α°.
∡ CDE = 360° – (α° + Subtraction postulate
60°)
= 300° – α°.

AE ≅ DE, FA ≅ CD Opposite sides of a

parallelogram are
congruent and
equilateral sides in a
triangle are congruent.
∡ FAE ≅ ∡ CDE Steps (8) and (9)
△ FAE ≅ △ CDE SAS

CF ≅ EC CPCTC

△ FCE is equilateral. Since EF ≅ EC ≅ CF.

QED
Each diagonal of a parallelogram divides the parallelogram into two congruent triangles

Area CDA = 7.77 cm2

Area BAC = 7.77 cm2 A

B
D

Let ABCD be a AB ≅ DC
parallelogram AD ≅ BC

Given Opposite sides of a △ ADC ≅ △ CBA

parallelogram are congruent

Construct AC AC ≅ AC SSS

Through any two points, Reflective property

there is exactly one line

Construct BD BD ≅ BD △ ADB ≅ △ CBD

Through any two points, Reflective property SSS

there is exactly one line

QED
Exercise
If a square is drawn externally on each side of the parallelogram, prove that the quadrilateral
determined by the centers (intersection of the diganols) of these squares is itself a square.
Picture
J

K I

L
N C
B

D
A
P H

E G

Claim: Brainstorm how prove the claim:

The quadrilateral determined by the centers of the 1. ∆ CMN ≅ ∆ DON ≅ ∆ BMP ≅ ∆ AOP by
squares is itself a square. SAS
2. MN ≅ NO ≅ MP ≅ OP by CPCTC

3. Quadrilateral MNOP is a rhombus.

4. Intersecting diagonals imply 90° so from each square given, we have
∡ OPM ≅ ∡ APB = 90°, ∡ PMN ≅ ∡ BMC = 90°, ∡ MNO ≅ ∡ CND = 90° and
∡ NOP ≅ ∡ DOA = 90°. Notice that each angle pair share the same term in the middle.
5. Since ∠ P, ∠ M, ∠ N, and ∠ O all equal 90°, by definition, this rhombus is a square.

Proof
Consider the diagram above. Notice that ∆ BMP ≅ ∆ CMN ≅ ∆ DON ≅ ∆ AOP by SAS since BM ≅ CM
≅ DO ≅ AO, ∠ MBP ≅ ∠ MCN ≅ ∠ ODN ≅ ∠ OAP, and BP ≅ CN ≅ DN ≅ AP. Hence, PM ≅ MN ≅
NO ≅ OP by CPCTC. Thus, quadrilateral PMNO is a rhombus. Since
∆ BMP ≅ ∆ CMN, ∆ CNM ≅ ∆ DNO, ∆ DON ≅ ∆ AOP and ∆ APO ≅ ∆ BPM, then
∠ BMP ≅ ∠ CMN, ∠ CNM ≅ ∠ DNO, ∠ DON ≅ ∠ AOP, and ∠ APO ≅ ∠ BMP, respectively. Now,
because ∠ APB, ∠ CMB, ∠ CND, and ∠ DOA are formed by the intersecting diagonals of the respective
squares, then ∡ APB ≅ ∡ BMC ≅ ∡ CND ≅ ∡ DOA = 90°. Hence,
∡ OPM ≅ ∡ APB = 90°, ∡ PMN ≅ ∡ BMC = 90°, ∡ MNO ≅ ∡ CND = 90° and
∡ NOP ≅ ∡ DOA = 90° since the angle pairs share ∠ P, ∠ M, ∠ N, and ∠ O, respectively. Since each
angle in rhombus PMNO is right, we can conclude that PMNO is a square. QED