SSAT Upper Level Math : Areas and Perimeters of Polygons

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #3 : Area Of A Parallelogram

The longer diagonal of a rhombus is 20% longer than the shorter diagonal; the rhombus has area \(\displaystyle N\). Give the length of the shorter diagonal in terms of \(\displaystyle N\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{ \frac{3N}{5}}\)

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{ \frac{5N}{3}}\)

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{15N}\)

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{ \frac{N}{5}}\)

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{5N}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \sqrt{ \frac{5N}{3}}\)

Explanation:

Let \(\displaystyle D\) be the length of the shorter diagonal. If the longer diagonal is 20% longer, then it measures 120% of the length of the shorter diagonal; this is 

\(\displaystyle \frac{120}{100} = \frac{120 \div 20}{100 \div 20} = \frac{6}{5}\)

of \(\displaystyle D\), or \(\displaystyle \frac{6}{5}D\).

The area of a rhombus is half the product of the lengths of its diagonals, so we can set up an equation and solve for \(\displaystyle D\):

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{6}{5}D \cdot D = N\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{5}D^{2} = N\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{5}{3} \cdot \frac{3}{5}D^{2} = \frac{5}{3} \cdot N\)

\(\displaystyle D^{2} = \frac{5N}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle D =\sqrt{ \frac{5N}{3}}\)

Example Question #1 : Understand Categories And Subcategories Of Two Dimensional Figures: Ccss.Math.Content.5.G.B.3

Which of the following shapes is NOT a quadrilateral? 

Possible Answers:

Rhombus

Square

Rectangle 

Triangle

Kite

Correct answer:

Triangle

Explanation:

A quadrilateral is any two-dimensional shape with  \(\displaystyle 4\) sides. The only shape listed that does not have \(\displaystyle 4\) sides is a triangle. 

Example Question #2 : Understand Categories And Subcategories Of Two Dimensional Figures: Ccss.Math.Content.5.G.B.3

What is the main difference between a square and a rectangle?

Possible Answers:

Their angle measurments

The number of sides they each have 

The sum of their angles 

Their color 

Their side lengths 

Correct answer:

Their side lengths 

Explanation:

The only difference between a rectangle and a square is their side lengths. A square has to have \(\displaystyle 4\) equal side lengths, but the opposite side lengths of a rectangle only have to be equal. 

Example Question #4 : Understand Categories And Subcategories Of Two Dimensional Figures: Ccss.Math.Content.5.G.B.3

What is the main difference between a triangle and a rectangle?

Possible Answers:

The volume

The color

The area

The number of sides

The length of the sides

Correct answer:

The number of sides

Explanation:

Out of the choices given, the only characteristic used to describe shapes is the number of sides. A triangle has \(\displaystyle 3\) sides and a rectangle has \(\displaystyle 4\) sides. 

Example Question #5 : Understand Categories And Subcategories Of Two Dimensional Figures: Ccss.Math.Content.5.G.B.3

Which two shapes have to have \(\displaystyle 4\) right angles? 

Possible Answers:

Square and Rectangle 

Square and Parallelogram

Rectangle and Parallelogram

Rectangle and Rhombus

Square and Rhombus

Correct answer:

Square and Rectangle 

Explanation:

By definition, the only two quadrilaterals that have to have \(\displaystyle 4\) right angles, are the square and the rectangle. 

Example Question #6 : Understand Categories And Subcategories Of Two Dimensional Figures: Ccss.Math.Content.5.G.B.3

Which of the shapes is NOT a quadrilateral? 

Possible Answers:

Hexagon

Square

Rhombus

Trapezoid

Rectangle 

Correct answer:

Hexagon

Explanation:

A quadrilateral is a \(\displaystyle 4\) sided shape. The only shape listed that does not have \(\displaystyle 4\) sides is a hexagon, which has \(\displaystyle 6\) sides. 

Example Question #7 : Understand Categories And Subcategories Of Two Dimensional Figures: Ccss.Math.Content.5.G.B.3

Which of the following shapes is NOT a parallelogram? 

Possible Answers:

Rhombus

Kite

Rectangle

Square

Correct answer:

Kite

Explanation:

A rectangle, square, and rhombus can all be classified as a parallelogram because each shape has opposite side lengths that are equal. A kite does not. 

Example Question #8 : Understand Categories And Subcategories Of Two Dimensional Figures: Ccss.Math.Content.5.G.B.3

What is the difference between a trapezoid and a isosceles trapezoid? 

Possible Answers:

There is no difference between them 

An isosceles trapezoid has to have equal side lengths 

A trapezoid has to have equal side lengths 

An isosceles trapezoid has to have equal base angles

A trapezoid has to have equal base angles

Correct answer:

An isosceles trapezoid has to have equal base angles

Explanation:

By definition, an isosceles trapezoid has to have \(\displaystyle 2\) equal base angles, but a trapezoid does not have to have equal angles. 

Example Question #4 : Understand Categories And Subcategories Of Two Dimensional Figures: Ccss.Math.Content.5.G.B.3

Which shape is NOT a quadrilateral?

Possible Answers:

Rectangle 

Trapezoid

Circle

Kite

Rhombus

Correct answer:

Circle

Explanation:

A quadrilateral has to have \(\displaystyle 4\) sides, a circle does not have any sides. 

Example Question #61 : Geometry

What other shape can a parallelogram be classified as? 

 

Possible Answers:

Rhombus

Triangle 

Square

Quadrilateral 

Rectangle 

Correct answer:

Quadrilateral 

Explanation:

A parallelogram can not be classified as a square because a square has to have \(\displaystyle 4\) equal sides, but a parallelogram can have two different side lengths, as long as the opposite side lengths are equal. 

A parallelogram can not be classified as a rectangle because a rectangle has to have \(\displaystyle 90^{\circ}\) angles, and a parallelogram does not. 

A parallelogram can not be classified as a triangle because a parallelogram has to have \(\displaystyle 4\) sides and a triangle only has \(\displaystyle 3\) sides. 

A parallelogram can not be classified as a rhombus because a rhombus has to have \(\displaystyle 4\) equal sides and a parallelogram does not. 

A parallelogram has four sides, and all shapes with four sides are quadrilaterals. 

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