Construction of Quadrilaterals 59

Chapter
3
Construction of Quadrilaterals

3.0 Introduction

We see fields, houses, bridges, railway tracks, school

buildings, play grounds etc, around us. We also see kites,
ludos, carrom boards, windows, blackboards and other
things around. When we draw these things what do the
figures look like? What is the basic geometrical shape in
all these? Most of these are quadrilateral figures with
four sides.
Kamal and Joseph are drawing a figure to make a frame of measurement with length 8 cm and
breadth 6cm. They drew the their figures individually without looking at each other’s figure.
Kamal Joseph
8 cm 8 cm

6 cm 6 cm 6 cm 6 cm

8 cm 8 cm

Are both the figures same?

You can see that both of these figures are quadrilaterals with the same measurements but the
figures are not same. In class VII we have discussed about uniqueness of triangles. For a unique
triangle you need any three measurements. They may be three sides or two sides and one
included angle, two angles and a side etc. How many measurements do we need to make a
unique quadrilateral? By a unique quadrilateral we mean that quadrilaterals made by different
persons with the same measurements will be congruent.

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 60 Mathematics VIII

Do This:
8 cm
Take a pair of sticks of equal length, say 8 cm. Take A D
another pair of sticks of equal length, say, 6 cm. Arrange
6 cm 6 cm
them suitably to get a rectangle of length 8 cm and breadth
6 cm. This rectangle is created with the 4 available B C
8 cm
measurements. Now just push along the breadth of the (i)
rectangle. Does it still look alike? You will get a new
shape of a rectangle Fig (ii), observe that the rectangle A 8 cm D
has now become a parallelogram. Have you altered the
lengths of the sticks? No! The measurements of sides 6 cm 6 cm

remain the same. Give another push to the newly

B C
8 cm
obtained shape in the opposite direction; what do you
(ii)
get? You again get a parallelogram again, which is
altogether different Fig (iii). Yet the four measurements A 8 cm D
remain the same. This shows that 4 measurements of a
quadrilateral cannot determine its uniqueness. So, how 6 cm 6 cm

many measurements determine a unique quadrilateral?

B C
Let us go back to the activity! 8 cm
(iii)
You have constructed a rectangle with two sticks each
8 cm D
A
of length 8 cm and other two sticks each of length 6 cm.
Now introduce another stick of length equal to BD and 6 cm 6 cm
put it along BD (Fig iv). If you push the breadth now,
does the shape change? No! It cannot, without making B
8 cm
C
the figure open. The introduction of the fifth stick has (iv)
fixed the rectangle uniquely, i.e., there is no other quadrilateral (with the given lengths
of sides) possible now. Thus, we observe that five measurements can determine a
quadrilateral uniquely. But will any five measurements (of sides and angles) be sufficient
to draw a unique quadrilateral?

3.1 Quadrilaterals and their Properties

C
In the Figure, ABCD is a quadrilateral. with vertices A, B, C, D and D
sides ; AB , BC , CD , DA . The angles of ABCD are ABC,
BCD, CDA and DAB and the diagonals are AC , BD .

A B
 Construction of Quadrilaterals 61

Do This
Equipment
You need: a ruler, a set square, a protractor.

Remember:

To check if the lines are parallel,

Slide set square from the first line to the second line
as shown in adjacent figures.

Now let us investigate the following using proper instruments.

For each quadrilateral.
(a) Check to see if opposite sides are parallel.
(b) Measure each angle.
(c) Measure the length of each side.

1 2

4
5
3

6 7

9
10

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 62 Mathematics VIII

Record your observations and complete the table below.

2 pairs of 2 pairs of 2 pairs
2 pairs of 1 pair of 4 right opposite opposite of
Quadrilateral parallel parallel sides angles sides angles adjacent 4 sides
sides equal equal sides equal
equal
1 !
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Parallelograms are quadrilaterals with 2 pairs of parallel sides.

(a) Which shapes are parallelograms?
(b) What other properties does a parallelogram have?
Rectangles are parallelograms with four right angles.
(a) Which shapes are rectangles?
(b) What properties does a rectangle have?
A rhombus is a parallelogram with four equal sides .
(a) Which could be called a rhombus?
(b) What properties does a rhombus have?
A square is a rhombus with four right angles .
(a) Which shapes are squares?
(b) What properties does a square have?
A trapezium is a quadrilateral with at least one pair of parallel sides.
(a) Which of the shapes could be called a trapezium and nothing else?
(b) What are the properties of a trapezium ?
 Construction of Quadrilaterals 63

Quadrilaterals 1 and 8 are kites. Write down some properties of kites.

Quadrilateral

One pair of opposite sides

are parallel
Trepezium
Two pair of opposite sides Kite
are equal and parallel
o
Each vertex angle is 90

Parellogram Rectangle
Adjacent sides Adjacent sides
are equal are equal

Each vertex angle is 90o

Square
Rhombus

Think - Discuss and write :

1. Is every rectangle a paralellogram? Is every paralellogram a rectangle?

2. Uma has made a sweet chikki. She wanted it to be rectangular. In how many different
ways can she verify that it is rectangular?

Do This

Can you draw the angle of 60o

Allowed Not allowed

Compass A straight edge Protractor

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64 Mathematics VIII

Observe the illustrations and write steps of construction for each.

(i)
C

o
60
A B

(a) (b) (c) C

(d) (e)
B

Q Q
(ii) R
R

30
o 120o
o
30 O P A
O P A

AOR = 30o AOC = 120o

(iii)

P S Q

PSR = 90o

(iv)
P S Q

P S Q

! QST = 45o
 Construction of Quadrilaterals 65

3.2 Constructing a Quadrilateral

We would draw quadrilaterals when the following measurements are given.

1. When four sides and one angle are given (S.S.S.S.A)

2. When four sides and one diagonal are given (S.S.S.S.D)

3. When three sides and two diagonals are given (S.S.S.D.D)

4. When two adjacent sides and three angles are given (S.A.S.A.A)

5. When three sides and two included angles are given (S.A.S.A.S)

3.2.1 Construction : When the lengths of four sides and one angle are given (S.S.S.S.A)

Example 1 : Construct a quadrilateral PQRS in which PQ = 4.5 cm, QR = 5.2 cm,

RS = 5.5 cm, PS = 4 cm and PQR = 120o.

Solution :
S 5.5cm
Step 1 : Draw a rough sketch of the required quadrilateral and mark R

the given measurements. Are they enough ? 4cm 5.2cm

120o
P Q
4.5cm

Step 2 : Draw ! "PQR using S.A.S

R
Property of construction, by
taking PQ = 4.5 cm,
PQR = 120o and QR = 5.2 cm.

5.2cm

o
120

P Q
4.5cm

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 66 Mathematics VIII

Step 3 : To locate the fourth vertex

‘S’, draw an arc, with centre P R

and radius 4cm (PS = 4 cm) S

Draw another arc with centre R
and radius 5.5 cm (RS = 5.5 cm)
which cuts the previous arc at S. 5.2cm

o
120

P Q
4.5cm

R
Step 4 : Join PS and RS to complete the 5.5cm
required quadrilateral PQRS. S

4cm 5.2cm

o
120

P Q
4.5cm

Example 2 : Construct parallelogram ABCD given that AB = 5 cm, BC = 3.5 cm and

A = 60o.
D ?
Solution : C

Step 1 : Draw a rough sketch of the parallelogram (a special

3.5cm 3.5cm
type of quadrilateral) and mark the given
o
measurements. 60
A B
Here we are given only 3 measurements. But as the 5cm

ABCD is a parallelogram we can also x

write that CD = AB = 5 cm and AD =
D
BC = 3.5 cm. (How?)
(Now we got 5 measurements in total).
3.5cm
Steps 2: Draw "BAD using the measures
AB = 5cm, A = 60 o and
60o
AD = 3.5 cm. A 5cm B
 Construction of Quadrilaterals 67

Steps 3: Locate the fourth vertex x

‘C’ using other two D
C
measurements BC=3.5cm
and DC = 5 cm.
3.5cm

60o
A 5cm B

Step 4 : Join B, C and C, D to D 5cm

C
complete the required
parallelogram ABCD.
3.5cm
3.5cm

60o
A 5cm B
(Verify the property of the parallelogram using scale and protractor)
Let us generalize the steps of construction of quadrilateral.
Step 1: Draw a rough sketch of the figure .
Step 2 : If the given measurements are not enough, analyse the figure. Try to use special properties
of the figure to obtain the required measurements
Step 3 : Draw a triangle with three of the five measurements and use the other measurements to
locate the fourth vertex.
Step 4: Describe the steps of construction in detail.

Exercise - 3.1

Construct the quadrilaterals with the measurements given below :

(a) Quadrilateral ABCD with AB = 5.5 cm, BC = 3.5 cm, CD = 4 cm, AD = 5 cm
and A = 45o.
(b) Quadrilateral BEST with BE = 2.9 cm, ES = 3.2 cm, ST = 2.7 cm, BT = 3.4 cm
and B = 75o.
(c) Parallelogram PQRS with PQ = 4.5 cm, QR = 3 cm and PQR = 60o.

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 68 Mathematics VIII

(d) Rhombus MATH with AT = 4 cm, MAT = 120o.

(e) Rectangle FLAT with FL = 5 cm, LA = 3 cm.

(f) Square LUDO with LU = 4.5 cm.

3.2.2 Construction : When the lengths of four sides and a diagonal is given (S.S.S.S.D)

Example 3 : Construct a quadrilateral ABCD where AB = 4 cm, BC = 3.6 cm,

CD = 4.2 cm, AD = 4.8 cm and AC = 5 cm.
Solution :
D 4.2cm
Step 1: Draw a rough sketch of the quadrilateral ABCD with the given C
data. 4.8cm 5cm 3.6cm
(Analyse if the given data is sufficient to draw the
quadrilateral or not . A B
4cm
If sufficient then proceed further, if not conclude the that the data is not enough to draw
the given figure).
Step 2: Construct "ABC with AB = 4 cm, BC = 3.6 cm C
and AC = 5 cm

5cm 3.6cm

A B
4cm

Step 3: We have to locate the fourth vertex ‘D’. It would D

be on the other side of AC. So with centre A
and radius 4.8 cm (AD = 4.8 cm) draw an arc
C
and with centre C and radius 4.2 cm (CD = 4.2
cm) draw another arc to cut the previous arc
at D.
5cm 3.6cm

A B
4cm
 Construction of Quadrilaterals 69

Step 4: Join A, D and C, D to complete the quadrilateral D

ABCD.
4.2cm
C

4.8cm
5cm 3.6cm

A B
4cm
Example 4: Construct a rhombus BEST with BE = 4.5 cm and ET = 5 cm
Solution : T S

Step 1 : Draw a rough sketch of the rhombus (a special type of

5c
quadrilateral). Hence all the sides are equal. So

m
BE = ES = ST = BT = 4.5 cm and mark the given
measurements.
B 4.5cm E
Now, with these measurements, we can construct
the figure. T

Step 2 : Draw "BET using SSS property of construction

with measures BE = 4.5 cm, ET = 5 cm and
m

BT = 4.5 cm
5c
4.5c

B E
4.5cm
Step 3 : By drawing the arcs locate the
fourth vertex ‘S’,with the remaining T S
two measures ES = 4.5 cm and
ST = 4.5 cm.
m

5c
4.5c

B E
4.5cm

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 70 Mathematics VIII

Step 4 : Join E, S and S, T to complete the

required rhombus BEST. 4.5cm
T S

5c
4.5c

m
4.5c
B E
4.5cm

Try These

1. Can you draw a parallelogram BATS where BA = 5 cm, AT = 6cm and

AS = 6.5 cm ? explain?
2. A student attempted to draw a quadrilateral PLAY given that
PL = 3 cm, LA = 4 cm, AY = 4.5 cm, PY = 2 cm and LY = 6 cm.
But he was not able to draw it why ?
Try to draw the quadrilateral yourself and give reason.

Exercise - 3.2

Construct quadrilateral with the measurements given below :

(a) Quadrilateral ABCD with AB = 4.5 cm, BC = 5.5 cm, CD = 4 cm, AD = 6 cm
and AC = 7 cm

(b) Quadrilateral PQRS with PQ = 3.5 cm, QR = 4 cm, RS = 5 cm, PS = 4.5 cm

and QS = 6.5 cm

(c) Parallelogram ABCD with AB = 6cm, CD = 4.5 cm and BD = 7.5 cm

(d) Rhombus NICE with NI = 4 cm and IE = 5.6 cm

3.2.3 Construction: When the lengths of three sides and two diagonals are given
(S.S.S.D.D)

Example 5 : Construct a quadrilateral ABCD, given that AB = 4.5 cm, BC = 5.2 cm,
CD = 4.8 cm and diagonals AC = 5 cm and BD = 5.4 cm.
 Construction of Quadrilaterals 71

C
Solution :
m
Step 1: We first draw a rough sketch of the quadrilateral ABCD. 8c
4.

5c m

5 .2
Mark the given measurements.

cm
D

(It is possible to draw "ABC with the available 5.4cm

A B
measurements) 4.5cm

Step 2: Draw "ABC using SSS Property of construction C

with measures AB = 4.5 cm, BC = 5.2 cm and
AC = 5 cm

5.2
cm
5cm
5.4cm
A 4.5cm B

Step 3: With centre B and radius 5.4 cm and with C

centre C and radius 4.8 cm draw two arcs
opposite to vertex B to locate D.
5.2
cm
5cm

D
5.4cm
A 4.5cm B

C
Step 4: Join C,D, B,D and A,D to complete the
quadrilateral ABCD.
5.2
cm

cm
5cm
4.8

D
5.4cm
A 4.5cm B

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 72 Mathematics VIII

Think, Discuss and Write :

1. Can you draw the quadrilateral ABCD (given above) by constructing "ABD first and
then fourth vertex ‘C’ ? Give reason .
2. Construct a quadrilateral PQRS with PQ = 3 cm, RS = 3 cm, PS = 7.5 cm, PR = 8cm
and SQ = 4 cm. Justify your result.

Exercise - 3.3

Construct the quadrilateral with the measurements given below :

(a) Quadrilateral GOLD OL = 7.5 cm, GL = 6 cm, LD = 5 cm, DG = 5.5 cm and
OD = 10 cm
(b) Quadrilateral PQRS PQ = 4.2 cm, QR = 3 cm, PS = 2.8 cm, PR = 4.5 cm and
QS = 5 cm.
3.2.4 Construction : When the lengths of two adjacent sides and three angles are known
(S.A.S.A.A)
We construct the quadrilateral required as before but as many angles are involved in the
construction use a ruler and a compass for standard angles and a protactor for others.
Example 6 : Construct a quadrilateral
PQRS, given that The angles such as 0o, 30o, 45o, 60o, 90o,
PQ = 4 cm, QR = 4.8 cm, 120o and 180o are called standard angles.
P = 75o Q = 100o and
R = 120o. S

Solution : X
R
o
120

Step 1 : We draw a rough sketch of the

quadrilateral and mark the given
4.8cm

R
measurements. Select the proper
instruments to construct angles.
75
o
100o
P Q
Step 2: Construct "PQR using SAS 4cm
4.8cm

property of construction with measures

PQ = 4 cm, Q = 100o and QR = 4.8 cm

(Why a dotted line is used to join PR ? This

100o
can be avoided in the next step).
P 4cm Q
 Construction of Quadrilaterals 73

!
Step 3: Construct P = 75o and draw PY Y

[Do you understand how 75o is

constructed? X

(a) An arc is drawn from P. Let it

intersect PQ at P# . With center P#
and with the same radius draw two
arcs to cut at two points A, B which R
give 60o and 120o respectively.
(b) From A,B construct an angular
bisector. Which cuts the arc at C,

4.8cm
making 90o.
C
B A
(c) From A, C construct angular
bisector (median of 60o and 90o)
o
which is 75o.] 75
o 100
P#
P Q
4cm

Y
Z

X
Step 4: Construct R = 120o and draw S
! !
RZ to meet PY at S.
PQRS is the required quadrilateral.
R
o
120
4.8cm

C
B A

o
75
o 100
P Q
4cm

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Think, Discuss and Write :

1. Can you construct the above quadrilateral PQRS, if we have an angle of 100o at P instead
of 75o Give reason.
2. Can you construct the quadrilateral PLAN if PL = 6 cm, LA = 9.5 cm, P = 75o,
L = 15o and A = 140o.
(Draw a rough sketch in each case and analyse the figure) State the reasons for your
conclusion.

Example 7 : Construct a parallelogram BELT, given that BE = 4.2 cm, EL = 5 cm,

T = 45o.
Solution :
T L

Step 1: Draw a rough sketch of the parallelogram BELT 5c

m
and mark the given measurements. (Are they enough
for construction ?) 135o
45o
B 4.2cm E
Analysis :

Since the given measures are not sufficient for construction, we shall find the required
measurements using the properties of a parallelogram.

As “Opposite angles of a parallelogram are equal” so E= T = 45o and

“The consecutive angles are supplementary” so L = 180o $ 45o = 135o.

Thus B= L = 135o X

Step 2 : Construct "BEL using SAS property of

L
construction model with BE = 4.2 cm,
E = 45o and EL = 5 cm 5c
m

o
45
B 4.2cm E
 Construction of Quadrilaterals 75

!
Step 3 : Construct B = 135o and draw BY
X
Y
L

5c
m

o
135 o
45
B 4.2cm E

! !
Step 4 : Construct L = 135o and draw LN to meet BY at T.
BELT is the required quadrilateral (i.e. parallelogram)
X
Y
T L
N

135 o
5c
m

135o
45o
B 4.2cm E

Do This

Construct the above parallelogram BELT by using other properties of parallelogram?

Exercise - 3.4

Construct quadrilaterals with the measurements given below :

(a) Quadrilateral HELP with HE = 6cm, EL = 4.5 cm, H=60o, E =105o and P= 120o.
(b) Parallelogram GRAM with GR = AM = 5 cm, RA = MG = 6.2 cm and R = 85o .
(c) Rectangle FLAG with sides FL = 6cm and LA = 4.2 cm.

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3.2.5 Construction :When the lengths of three sides and two included angles are
given (S.A.S.A.S)
We construct this type of quadrilateral by constructing a triangle with SAS property. Note
particularly the included angles.
Example 8 : Construct a quadrilateral ABCD in which AB = 5cm, BC = 4.5 cm, CD = 6 cm,
B = 100o and C = 75o.
6cm C
Solution : D 75
o

Step 1 : Draw a rough sketch, as usual and mark the measurements

4.5cm
given (Find whether these measures are sufficient to construct
100o
a quadrilateral or not? If yes, proceed)
A 5cm B
Step 2 : Draw "ABC with measures AB= 5cm, X
B = 100o and BC = 4.5 cm using
SAS rule.
C

4.5cm
100o
A B
5cm
X
o
Step 3 : Construct C = 75 and
!
Draw CY

C
6cm
Y
75o
4.5cm

100o
A B
5cm
 Construction of Quadrilaterals 77

Step 4 : With centre ‘C’ and radius X

6 cm draw an arc to
intersect CY at D. Join
A, D. ABCD is the required
quadrilateral.
C
6cm
Y D
75o

4.5cm
o
100
A B
5cm

Think, Discuss and Write :

Do you construct the above quadrilateral ABCD by taking BC as base instead of AB ? If So,
draw a rough sketch and explain the various steps involved in the construction.

Exercise - 3.5

Construct following quadrilaterals-

(a) Quadrilateral PQRS with PQ = 3.6cm, QR = 4.5 cm, RS = 5.6 cm, PQR = 135o and
QRS = 60o.
(b) Quadrilateral LAMP with AM = MP = PL = 5cm, M = 90o and P = 60o.
(c) Trapezium ABCD in which AB || CD, AB = 8 cm, BC = 6cm, CD = 4cm and B = 60o.
3.2.6 Construction of Special types Quadrilaterals :
(a) Construction of a Rhombus :
Example 9 : Draw a rhombus ABCD in which diagonals
AC = 4.5 cm and BD = 6 cm.
Solution :
Step 1 : Draw a rough sketch of rhombus ABCD and mark the given
measurements. Are these measurements enough to construct
the required figure ?
To examine this, we use one or other properties of rhombus to
construct it.
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 78 Mathematics VIII

Analysis: The diagonals of a rhombus bisect each other perpendicularly,

AC and BD are diagonals of the rhombus ABCD. Which
bisect each other at ‘O’. i.e. AOB = 90o and

BD 6
OB = OD = = = 3 cm
2 2
Now proceed to step 2 for construction.

Step 2: Draw AC = 4.5 cm (one diagonal of the rhombus

ABCD) and draw a perpendicular bisector XY of
it and mark the point of intersection as ‘O’.

A C
O
4.5cm

Step 3: As the other diagonal BD is Perpendicular to AC , B

BD is a part of XY . So with centre ‘O’ and
radius 3 cm (OB = OD = 3cm) draw two arcs on
either sides of AC to cut XY at B and D. 3cm

A C
O
4.5cm
3cm

D
Y
 Construction of Quadrilaterals 79

Step 4: Join A, B ; B, C ; C, D and D, A to complete the X

rhombus. B

3cm

A C
O
4.5cm
3cm

D
Y

Think, Discuss and Write :

1. Can you construct the above quadrilateral (rhombus) taking BD as a base instead of AC?
If not give reason.

2. Suppose the two diagonals of this rhombus are equal in length, what figure do you obtain?
Draw a rough sketch for it. State reasons.

Exercise - 3.6

Construct quadrilaterals for measurements given below :

(a) A rhombus CART with CR = 6 cm, AT = 4.8 cm

(b) A rhombus SOAP with SA = 4.3 cm, OP = 5 cm

(c) A square JUMP with diagonal 4.2 cm.

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What we have discussed

1. Five independent measurements are required to draw a unique quadrilateral

2. A quadrilateral can be constructed uniquely, if
(a) The lengths of four sides and one angle are given
(b) The lengths of four sides and one diagonal are given
(c) The lengths of three sides and two diagonals are given
(d) The lengths of two adjacent sides and three angles are given
(e) The lengths of three sides and two included angles are given
3. The two special quadrilaterals, namely rhombus and square can be
constructed when two diagonals are given.

Teachers Note:
Angles constructed by using compasses are accurate and can be proved logically, where as the
protractor can be used for measurement and verification. So let our students learn to construct all
possible angles with the help of compass.

Fun with Paper Cutting

Tile and Smile
Cut a quadrilateral from a paper as shown in the figure. Locate
the mid points of its sides, and then cut along the segments joining T2 T3
successive mid points to give four triangles T1, T2, T3, T4 and a
P
parallelogram P.
Can you show that the four triangles tiles the parallelogram. T1 T4
How does the area of the parallelogram compare to the area of
the original quadrilateral.
Just for fun :
Qudrilateral + Quadrilateral = Parallelogram?
Fold a sheet of paper in half, and then use scissors to cut a pair of congruent convex
quadrilaterals. Cut one of the quadrilateral along one of the diagonals, and the cut the second
quadrilateral along the other diagonal. Show that four triangles can be arranged to form a
parallelogram.