Differences between a Rectangle and a Square | Properties, Angles, Symmetry, and Special Case

Rectangle and Square

A rectangle and a square are both geometric shapes that belong to the category of quadrilaterals

A rectangle and a square are both geometric shapes that belong to the category of quadrilaterals. However, they differ in terms of their properties and characteristics.

Definition of a Rectangle:
A rectangle is a four-sided polygon (quadrilateral) with opposite sides that are parallel and equal in length. Additionally, all four angles of a rectangle are right angles (90 degrees). In other words, a rectangle has four 90-degree angles and opposite sides that are equal in length.

Properties of a Rectangle:
1. Opposite sides of a rectangle are parallel.
2. All angles of a rectangle are right angles (90 degrees).
3. Opposite sides of a rectangle are equal in length.

Definition of a Square:
A square is a special type of rectangle where all four sides are equal in length. Thus, a square can be considered as a specific case of a rectangle. Like a rectangle, a square has four right angles (90 degrees), but it also has the added property of having all sides of equal length.

Properties of a Square:
1. All sides of a square are equal in length.
2. All angles of a square are right angles (90 degrees).

Differences between a Rectangle and a Square:
1. Length of Sides: A rectangle can have opposite sides of different lengths, while a square has all sides of equal length.
2. Angles: Both shapes have four right angles, but while a rectangle may have unequal angles, all angles of a square are equal, each measuring 90 degrees.
3. Symmetry: A square has a higher degree of symmetry than a rectangle because of its equal sides.
4. Special Case: A square is a specific case of a rectangle where all sides are equal, but a rectangle is not necessarily a square.

In summary, a rectangle and a square are both types of quadrilaterals, but a square is a special case of a rectangle with all sides equal in length and all angles measuring 90 degrees.

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