home interactive  geometry is this a square?
>>> Introduction | What is a square? | Reframe | Quadrilaterals | Conclusion
Conclusion

is this a square?For a shape to be a square - or any other defined polygon - it has to have the properties associated with that polygon. In other words, don't judge a book by its cover. Just because A looks like B doesn't mean A is B. After all, all eight quadrilaterals did look like squares initially.

Don't decide if a shape is a square by simple observation alone of the similarity of what you are looking at with the notion you have in your head of what a defined shape should look like. Instead, look for the required properties. Does the shape always have four right angles. Do all four sides remain equal? These questions are far more mathematically valid than mere observation of shape - and we can safely ignore the pixellated nature of the images too. We know what we're looking for. We're not going to be put off by trivial aberrations.

This is what interactive geometry software offers. The likes of Geometer's Sketchpad, Cabri Geometre, Cinderella, C.a.R. all provide the means of observing properties rather than simple appearance.


Still not convinced?

This interactive display includes a circle to demonstrate that adjacent sides remain the same length and the four angles are measured. It also allows you to move through the stages of constructing the square step by step.

Use the buttons at the bottom of the display to step through the construction.

At any stage you can move points A or B.


This display was produced by CabriJava




Is this a photograph of a human being?

As I said before, I would answer yes.

This is only my personal experience however. For you to decide, you would need to observe the properties of the object displayed.



is this a human being


Further work
Given 4 points A, B, C and D is it always possible to construct a square so that each point is on each side? How do you do it? Have a go yourself.
Please enable Java for an interactive construction (with Cinderella).


Part of geometry