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Parallelogram - GCSE Maths Definition

Reviewed by: Dan Finlay

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A parallelogram is a quadrilateral - a polygon with four sides (and angles) - with the following properties:

  • two pairs of parallel sides

  • two pairs of equal sides

  • the parallel and equal sides are opposite each other

  • opposite (interior) angles are equal

  • adjacent (interior) angles sum 180°

  • a parallelogram has no lines of symmetry

  • a parallelogram has rotational symmetry of order 2

  • the diagonals of a parallelogram are equal in length and bisect each other

Identifying these properties allows us to solve a range of geometric problems in GCSE Mathematics.

A special case of a parallelogram would be when all four sides are of equal length, in which case it would be a rhombus.

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Dan Finlay

Reviewer: Dan Finlay

Expertise: Maths Subject Lead

Dan graduated from the University of Oxford with a First class degree in mathematics. As well as teaching maths for over 8 years, Dan has marked a range of exams for Edexcel, tutored students and taught A Level Accounting. Dan has a keen interest in statistics and probability and their real-life applications.

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