What is the figure formed by joining the midpoints of the adjacent sides of a parallelogram?

Geometry is derived from a Greek word that means ‘Earth Measurement’. It is a branch of mathematics and is concerned with the properties of space i.e., a visual study of shapes, position of figures, patterns, sizes, etc. Geometry is a subject of countless developments, so there exist many types. They are Euclidean Geometry, Non-Euclidean Geometry, Algebraic Geometry, Riemannian Geometry, and Symplectic Geometry.

Quadrilateral

A quadrilateral can be separated into two words Quad means four and lateral means side. So a quadrilateral is a closed figure with four sides. It had four vertices. The sides of a quadrilateral are equal/ unequal/ parallel/ irregular which leads to various geometric figures. Example: Square, Rectangle, Rhombus, Parallelogram, Trapezium, etc.

The midpoint of a side divides a side of any figure into two equal parts (length-wise). In a quadrilateral, there will be a midpoint for each side i.e., Four mid-points.

There are a few factors that determine the shape formed by joining the midpoints of a quadrilateral. Those factors are the kind of quadrilateral, diagonal properties, etc. These factors affect the shape formed by joining the midpoints in a given quadrilateral. Let’s look into the various scenarios to get a better understanding.

Solution:

Let’s consider a Quadrilateral ABCD, Find the shape of figure formed by joining the mid points.

Here A, B, C, D are vertices of quadrilateral 

P, Q, R, S are midpoints of sides AB, AC, BD and CD respectively.

As midpoint divides a side into equal parts, AP = PB and same will applied to all sides.

BC is the diagonal of the quadrilateral which form two triangles ABC and BCD.

Consider the Triangle BCD

CB is parallel to SR (CB || SR)

According to Mid-point theorem 

SR = CB/2

So CB||SR and SR = CB/2 ⇢ (1)

Same as in Triangle ABC

QP||CB and QP = CB/2 ⇢ (2)

From (1) & (2)

SR||QP and SR = QP

As one pair of opposite sides are equal in length and parallel to each other, The resultant figure by joining the midpoints of a quadrilateral become a parallelogram.

Sample Questions

Question 1: Consider the rhombus ABCD which is also a kind of Quadrilateral. Find the shape of the figure formed by joining the midpoints.

Solution:

Let ABCD is a rhombus and P,Q,R,S are mid points of sides AB, BC, CD, DA respectively.

In Triangle ABD we have:

PS || BD & PS = BD/2            ….(1) 

(According to midpoint theorem.)

In Triangle BDC we have

QR||BD & QR=BD/2               ….(2) 

(According to mid point theorem.)

From equations (1) & (2) we get,

PS || QR

So PQRS is a parallelogram

As diagonals of rhombus bisect each other at 90° (Right angles)

Diagonals are perpendicular to each other

AC ⊥ BD

As PS || QR & PQ || SR & AC⊥ BD 

PQ is also perpendicular to QR.

PQ ⊥ QR (∠PQR = 90°)

Hence PQRS is a Rectangle.

So, the figure formed by combining the midpoints of rhombus forms a rectangle.

Question 2: If the figure formed by joining the midpoint of a quadrilateral is square only if, do explain the condition.

Solution:

Let ABCD is a rhombus and P, Q, R, S are mid points of sides AB, BC, CD, DA respectively. 

Given PQRS is a Square.

Such that PQ = QR = RS = SP               ….(1)

Also diagonals in a square are of equal length i.e., PR = SQ

But PR = BC & SQ = AB

Hence AB = BC (as PR = SQ)

So all sides of quadrilateral are equal.

The given quadrilateral must be a square or rhombus.

In Triangle ADC we have

RS||AC & RS = AC/2                            ….(2) 

(According to midpoint theorem.)

In Triangle BDC we have

QR || BD & QR = BD/2                      …..(3) 

(According to mid point theorem. 0

From equation (1),

RS = QR

So, AC/2 = BD/2

AC = BD

Thus, the length of diagonals of quadrilateral are same, So ABCD is a square with diagonals perpendicular to each other.

Question 3: What is the figure formed by joining the midpoints of a parallelogram.

Solution:

The given figure is Parallelogram ABCD with midpoints P, Q, R, S for the sides AB, BD, CD, AC respectively.

 In Triangle ABC we have,

PS || BC & PS = BC/2                 ….(1) 

(According to midpoint theorem.)

In Triangle BDC we have:

QR || BC & QR = BC/2            ….(2) 

(According to mid point theorem.)

From equation (1) & (2) we get,

PS || QR

So, PQRS is a parallelogram.

Question 4: What is the figure formed by joining the midpoints of a quadrilateral whose diagonals are of length equal?

Answer: 

Rhombus which is a two-dimensional plane figure that is closed. It is regarded as a peculiar parallelogram, and it has its own identity as a quadrilateral due to its unique features. Because all of its sides are the same length, a rhombus is also known as an equilateral quadrilateral. The name ‘rhombus’ is derived from the ancient Greek word ‘rhombos,’ which literally means “to spin.”

Question 5: What is the figure formed by joining the midpoints of a quadrilateral whose diagonals are perpendicular but not of equal length?

Answer: 

Rectangle, which is a quadrilateral with equal angles on all sides and equal and parallel opposite sides. There are numerous rectangle items in our environment. Each rectangle shape has two distinct dimensions: length and width. The length and width of a rectangle are defined as the longer side and the shorter side, respectively.

100% students answered this correctly

1. Quadrilaterals:

(i) The sum of the angles of a quadrilateral is 360°.

(ii) A quadrilateral is a parallelogram if its opposite sides are equal.

(iii) A quadrilateral is a parallelogram if its opposite angles are equal.

(iv) The diagonals of a quadrilateral bisect each other if it is a parallelogram.

(v) A quadrilateral is a parallelogram if one pair of opposite sides are equal and parallel.

(vi) The quadrilateral formed by joining the mid-points of the sides of a quadrilateral, in order, is a parallelogram.

2. Parallelogram:

(i) A diagonal of a parallelogram divides it into two congruent triangles.

(ii) Two opposite angles of a parallelogram are equal.

(iii) The diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other.

(iv) In a parallelogram, the bisectors of any two consecutive angles intersect at a right angle.

(v) If a diagonal of a parallelogram bisects one of the angles of the parallelogram it also bisects the second angle.

(vi) The angles bisectors of a parallelogram form a rectangle.

(vii) ​​​​​​​Diagonals of a parallelogram are equal if and only if it is a rectangle.

(viii) ​​​​​​​Diagonals of a parallelogram are perpendicular if and only if it is a rhombus.

(ix) ​​​​​​​If the diagonals of a parallelogram are equal and intersect at right angles, then it is a square.

3. Rectangle and Square:

(i) Each of the four angles of a rectangle is a right angle.

(ii) ​​​​​​​The diagonals of a rectangle are of equal length.

(iii) ​​​​​​​The diagonals of a square are equal and perpendicular to each other.

4. Rhombus:

(i) Each of the four sides of a rhombus is of the same length.

(ii) The diagonals of a rhombus are perpendicular to each other.

5. The Mid-point Theorem:

(i) The line segment joining the mid-points of any two sides of a triangle is parallel to the third side and equal to half of it.

(ii) A line through the mid-point of a side of a triangle parallel to another side bisects the third side.

The line segment in a triangle joining the midpoint of two sides of the triangle is parallel to its third side and is also half of the length of the third side.

Do you know if a line drawn through the midpoint of one side of a triangle and parallel to the second side bisects the third side? Watch this video and learn...

The line segment in a triangle joining the midpoint of two sides of the triangle is said to be parallel to its third side and is also half of the length of t...

Grab a pen, paper, and some scissors and join along as you create your own triangle and prove the Midpoint Theorem in front of your very eyes.

See how the area of a parallelogram can be calculated from a rectangle in a few easy steps. You can even do it at home. Watch the video to learn more.

Have you noticed a TV, an envelope or a kite? They all have a similar shape. Such a shape is called a quadrilateral. Let’s learn more about the types of quad...