In geometry, a quadrilateral is a figure that has four sides.
Quadrilateral is a concept that is used to name something that has four sides . Before entering fully into establishing the meaning of the term, it is important to determine its etymological origin.
In this sense, we can say that it is a word that comes from Latin, from the word quadrilaterus , which can be translated as “having four sides.” It, in turn, is made up of two clearly differentiated parts: quadri , which comes from quattuor and is synonymous with “four” ; and latus , meaning “side.”
Quadrilateral in geometry
The most frequent use of the concept is in geometry . A quadrilateral, in this sense, is a polygon whose sides are four. This means that the quadrilateral is determined by four segments that make it up.
Having four sides, all quadrilaterals also have two diagonals, four vertices and four interior angles. These characteristics are maintained beyond the shape of the quadrilateral, which can vary.
Squares , rhombuses and rectangles , for example, are quadrilaterals: they therefore have four sides, four vertices , four internal angles and two diagonals. However, it is evident that the shape of these three geometric figures is not identical.
What varies in quadrilaterals with respect to their shape is the arrangement of their sides; The points to take into account to establish a classification of quadrilaterals are the parallelism of their sides, as well as the length of each one and their interior angles. Based on these variables, it is possible to distinguish between the following types:
- Parallelogram : its opposite sides, that is, those whose vertices do not touch, are parallel.
- Square : it is the simplest figure of all, both when performing calculations on it and drawing it, even for people who do not have specific knowledge of geometry or mathematics in general. All the sides of a square are equal, as well as all its interior angles (which are 90 degrees and are called right angles ) and its diagonals (which not only coincide in their measurement but are perpendicular to each other). Finally, the square is a figure belonging to the group of bisectors , which means that it can be divided into two equal parts, and has an inscribed circumference , that is, it is interior and tangent to each of its sides.
- Rhombus : It is similar to the square, since it also has four equal sides, but its interior angles are not right, but two are acute and two are obtuse, and each pair coincides in measurement. Their diagonals, on the other hand, are different, one being larger than the other, although they are also perpendicular to each other. The rhombus, like the square , is a bisector and has an inscribed circle.
- Rectangle : its parallel sides, those that do not share vertices, are equal to each other. In the same way as the square, its interior angles are right and all its diagonals measure the same, although in this case they are not perpendicular to each other, given the differences in their sides. Its circumference, unlike the previous figures, is circumscribed, which means that it is external and passes through all its vertices, instead of being tangent to its sides.
- Rhomboid : its two smallest and two largest sides are equal to each other.
- Trapezoid : only two of its sides are parallel and it can be rectangular (one of its sides is perpendicular to its bases, two of its internal angles are right, one obtuse and one acute), isosceles (its non-parallel sides measure the same, it has two acute angles and two obtuse angles equal to each other) or scalene (its four internal angles are different).
The boxing ring is called a quadrilateral.
boxing ring
Outside of geometry, the boxing ring and other spaces intended to host a fight for sporting purposes are known as a quadrilateral. As can be assumed, the quadrilateral has four sides, which are delimited by ropes, wire fences or other materials. For example: “The Uruguayan boxer promised that he will end up standing in the ring,” “The hook to the jaw threw the American out of the ring,” “If you are afraid, you can't get into the ring.”
Some considerations about the ring and boxing in general:
- The size of the ring must be at least 7.3 meters on a side.
- Each round has a time of 3 minutes.
- Blows from the waist down are not allowed.
- If a boxer falls, he must get up without anyone's help within a maximum of ten seconds to continue the fight.
Other uses of the term quadrilateral
It must be kept in mind that within the scope of geography the term quadrilateral that concerns us now is used. Specifically, there is talk, for example, of what has been called the Bohemian Quadrilateral , which is a space determined by four nuclei of mountains and that in the past formed what was the historical border of the Countries. Czechs .
These four mountain groups are the Ore Mountains, the Bohemian Forest, the Sudeten Mountains and the Giant Mountains.
We must not forget either that, in the Tenerife city of La Laguna ( Spain ), Cuadrilátero is the name given to the most important nightlife area. It is made up of all types of bars, nightclubs, pubs...