Quadrilaterals and Polygons

What this page covers

This unit is about quadrilaterals and polygons. Most of what you will find is mind maps, and many of them are called simply Quadrilaterals. They set out the family of four-sided shapes: parallelograms, rhombuses, rectangles, squares and trapezoids. Several list properties such as opposite sides being congruent, consecutive angles being supplementary and diagonals bisecting each other.

Beyond four-sided shapes, the page also lists material on polygons in general. The Regular Polygons mind map runs from the square to the decagon and gives exterior and interior angles for each. There are also flashcard decks, flowcharts, slide sets and notes.

Where to start

1. Open the quadrilateral mind map for a quick overview of the shapes and their definitions, including the trapezoid and the isosceles trapezoid.
2. Move to one of the Quadrilaterals mind maps that lists properties for parallelograms, rhombuses and rectangles.
3. Read the note on interior and exterior angles of polygons, which gives the formula 180(n-2) for the sum of interior angles.
4. Take the Properties of Parallelograms Review quiz to check what stayed with you.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a map first, then close it and take a quiz. The parallelogram quiz asks true-or-false style questions and explains each answer, so a wrong answer points you back to the right branch of a map. Other quizzes on the page include Special Parallelograms and Geometric Shape Properties.

Flashcard decks such as Quadrilaterals Definitions and Properties, Angle sum, interior angles and exterior angles and names of polygons are handy for short bursts of memorizing. Teachers can pick a map or a flowchart, such as Understanding quadrilaterals, to use in a lesson.

Where it fits

This unit sits in the Geometry, Measurement and Trigonometry strand of Mathematics. Because it is so focused, it works well for a single topic at a time.

Pick a map that suits you, work through it, and then make your own version in your own words.