# Homework Help Geometry Proofs Parallelogram

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One special kind of polygons is called a parallelogram. It is a quadrilateral where both pairs of opposite sides are parallel.

There are six important properties of parallelograms to know:

1. Opposite sides are congruent (AB = DC).
2. Opposite angels are congruent (D = B).
3. Consecutive angles are supplementary (A + D = 180°).
4. If one angle is right, then all angles are right.
5. The diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other.
6. Each diagonal of a parallelogram separates it into two congruent triangles.

$$\triangle ACD\cong \triangle ABC$$

If we have a parallelogram where all sides are congruent then we have what is called a rhombus. The properties of parallelograms can be applied on rhombi.

If we have a quadrilateral where one pair and only one pair of sides are parallel then we have what is called a trapezoid. The parallel sides are called bases while the nonparallel sides are called legs. If the legs are congruent we have what is called an isosceles trapezoid.

In an isosceles trapezoid the diagonals are always congruent. The median of a trapezoid is parallel to the bases and is one-half of the sum of measures of the bases.

$$EF=\frac{1}{2}(AD+BC)$$

## Video lesson

Find the length of EF in the parallelogram

In the previous section, we learned about several properties that distinguish parallelograms from other quadrilaterals. Most of the work we did was computation-based because we were already given the fact that the figures were parallelograms. In this section, we will use our reasoning skills to put together two-column geometric proofs for parallelograms. We can apply much of what we learned in the previous section to help us throughout this lesson, but we will be much more formalized and organized in our arguments.

## Using Definitions and Theorems in Proofs

The ways we start off our proofs are key steps toward arriving at a conclusion. Therefore, comprehending the information that we are given by an exercise may be the single most important part of proving a statement.

As we will see, there are different ways in which we can essentially say the same statement. Recall, that many of our angle theorems had converses. The converses of the theorems essentially gave the same information, but in a reversed order. We will have to approach problems involving parallelograms in the same way. That is, we must be conscious of the arguments we make based on whether we are given that a certain quadrilateral is a parallelogram, or if we want to prove that the quadrilateral is a parallelogram. Let's take a look at these statements so that we understand how to use them properly in our proofs.

### Given a Parallelogram

We can use the following statements in our proofs if we are given that a quadrilateral is a parallelogram.

Definition: A parallelogram is a type of quadrilateral whose pairs of opposite sides are parallel.

If a quadrilateral is a parallelogram, then...

Much of the information above was studied in the previous section. The purpose of organizing it in the way that it has been laid out is to help us see the difference in our statements depending on whether we are given a parallelogram, or if we are trying to prove that a quadrilateral is a parallelogram.

Let's look at the structure of our statements when we are trying to prove that a quadrilateral is a parallelogram.

### Proving a Parallelogram

Definition: A parallelogram is a type of quadrilateral whose pairs of opposite sides are parallel.

If...

Let's use these statements to help us prove the following exercise. We will need to use both forms of the statements above, because we will be given one parallelogram, and we will have to prove that another one exists. This will give us practice using regular theorems and definitions, as well as their converses.

## Exercise

Solution:

As stated before this exercise, we need to be conscious of how to use theorems and definitions, as well as their converses because we are given that NRSM is a parallelogram, but we also want to prove that ERAM is a parallelogram. We were also given that ?4??5, which will help us prove our conclusion.

To begin, we know that ?R??M because they are the opposite angles of parallelogram NRSM.

Knowing this allows us to claim that ?3??6 by the Angle Subtraction Postulate. We see that ?R is composed of two smaller angles (?3 and ?4). Likewise, we see that ?M is composed of ?5 and ?6. Since the whole of the angles are congruent, and two of the smaller angles in them are congruent, then their remainders are also congruent.

Now, we have proven that one pair of opposite angles are congruent. If we can show that ?2 and ?7 are also congruent, we can prove that quadrilateral ERAM is a parallelogram.

Because NRSM is a parallelogram, we know that its opposite sides are parallel. So, we have that segments NR and MS are parallel. Considering these lines, we know that segments EM and RA are transversals to the parallel lines, since they intersect both lines. Thus, we can use the Alternate Interior Angles Theorem to prove that ?1??6 and ?3??8.

By transitivity, we can say that ?1 is congruent to ?8. It is a bit difficult to imagine the chain of congruences that allows us to make this claim, but it is as such:

Notice that ?3 and ?6 are congruent, opposite angles, just as ?2 and ?7 are. Let's look at our new illustration to help us visualize what we've done.

We have proven that ERAM is a parallelogram because both pairs of its opposite angles are congruent. The two-column proof for our argument is shown below.