This collaborative activity investigates the meaning of a trapezoid and a parallelogram. It begins by presenting two different definitions of a trapezoid. Learners are to reason abstractly the difference between the two definitions and how it applies to a parallelogram. This is a good exercise in understanding the importance of precise definitions in math, and how different definitions can lead to very different results.

Concepts

parallelograms, polygons, quadrilaterals, 2-d shapes, 2-d, shapes, trapezoids

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

two-dimensional figure, attributes of shapes, trapezoid, parallelogram, polygon, math

Show More Show Less

Pros

• A good exercise in understanding the properties of trapezoids and parallelograms
• Learners must reason abstractly

Cons

• None

Common Core

5.G.B.4 MP2 MP6