Rectangle
A rectangle is a four-sided shape with four right angles. It is one of the most common shapes in geometry and is found in many everyday objects. Rectangles are also used in architecture, engineering, and design. The area of a rectangle is calculated by multiplying the length and width of the rectangle together. The perimeter of a rectangle is calculated by adding the lengths of all four sides together.
History of the Term
The term “rectangle” was first used in the 16th century by the French mathematician Gérard Desargues. He used the term to describe a four-sided shape with four right angles. The term was later adopted by other mathematicians and is now used in many different fields.
Comparison Table
| Shape | Number of Sides | Number of Right Angles |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangle | 4 | 4 |
| Square | 4 | 4 |
| Triangle | 3 | 0 |
| Pentagon | 5 | 0 |
Summary
A rectangle is a four-sided shape with four right angles. It is one of the most common shapes in geometry and is found in many everyday objects. The area of a rectangle is calculated by multiplying the length and width of the rectangle together. The perimeter of a rectangle is calculated by adding the lengths of all four sides together. For more information about rectangles, visit websites such as MathIsFun.com and Khan Academy.
See Also
- Square
- Triangle
- Pentagon
- Hexagon
- Octagon
- Parallelogram
- Rhombus
- Trapezoid
- Area
- Perimeter
