October 5, 2025

What Is A Rhombus

Q: Is a square a rhombus?

Yes, a square is a special type of rhombus. A square has four equal sides and opposite parallel sides, which fits the definition of a rhombus. However, not all rhombuses are squares, because a rhombus only becomes a square when all its internal angles are 90 degrees.

Q: What is the difference between a rhombus and a parallelogram?

A rhombus is a specific type of parallelogram. While a parallelogram must have two pairs of parallel sides, a rhombus has the additional requirement that all four sides must be equal in length. Therefore, all rhombuses are parallelograms, but not all parallelograms are rhombuses.

Q: How do you find the area of a rhombus?

The area of a rhombus can be calculated by multiplying the lengths of its two diagonals and then dividing by two. The formula is: Area = (diagonal 1 × diagonal 2) / 2.

Q: Are the diagonals of a rhombus equal?

No, the diagonals of a rhombus are generally not equal. They are only equal in the special case where the rhombus is also a square. In a non-square rhombus, one diagonal will be longer than the other.

Learn the definition of a rhombus. Understand its key properties, including four equal sides and parallel opposite sides, and see how it differs from a square.

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Defining a Rhombus

A rhombus is a flat, four-sided shape (a quadrilateral) where all four sides are of equal length. It is a type of parallelogram, meaning its opposite sides are parallel and its opposite angles are equal.

Section 2: Key Properties of a Rhombus

The defining properties of a rhombus include: 1) all four sides are equal in length, 2) opposite angles are equal (it has two equal acute angles and two equal obtuse angles, unless it's a square), 3) opposite sides are parallel, and 4) its diagonals bisect each other at a right angle (90°).

Section 3: A Practical Example

A common example of a rhombus is the diamond shape on a deck of playing cards. Another way to visualize it is to imagine a square frame that has been pushed or slanted to one side. The resulting shape, with four equal sides but non-right angles, is a rhombus.

Section 4: Importance in Geometry

Understanding the rhombus is a fundamental step in learning geometry. Its unique properties are used in design, art, and engineering, such as in creating tessellating tile patterns, designing scissor lift mechanisms, and forming strong lattice structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a square a rhombus?

What is the difference between a rhombus and a parallelogram?

How do you find the area of a rhombus?

Are the diagonals of a rhombus equal?