FTCE General Knowledge Math Practice Test

A quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides is known as what?

1. Parallelogram

2. Rectangle

3. Trapezoid

4. Square

The correct answer is: Trapezoid

A quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides is known as a trapezoid. This definition is central to understanding the properties of different quadrilaterals. In a trapezoid, the parallel sides are often referred to as the bases, while the other two sides, which are not parallel, are called the legs. This distinguishing feature sets trapezoids apart from other quadrilaterals like parallelograms, rectangles, and squares. A parallelogram has two pairs of parallel sides, while rectangles and squares are specialized types of parallelograms with specific angle properties. Therefore, the identification of a trapezoid is solely based on having just one pair of parallel sides.