Try sofatutor for 30 Days

Discover why over 1.6 MILLION students choose sofatutor!

What are Squares and Rectangles?

Rating

Ø 4.2 / 5 ratings
The authors
Avatar
Team Digital
What are Squares and Rectangles?
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.G.A.1

Basics on the topic What are Squares and Rectangles?

Rectangles and Squares

Squares and Rectangles are basic, two-dimensional shapes. In this text, we will learn how squares and rectangles are alike and we will also have a look at the differences between squares and rectangles.
We will also learn about defining attributes and non-defining attributes of squares and rectangles.

Rectangles and Squares – Similarities and Differences

Squares and rectangles are similar shapes. Squares and rectangles are both 4 sided shapes that have 4 corners and 4 angles. We can compare and contrast squares and rectangles to see how they are alike and different.

Rectangles and Squares – Defining Attributes

A defining attribute is a characteristic a shape must have. These are the defining attributes of squares and rectangles.

Defining attributes of a square 25075_SEO-L17.svg Defining attributes of a rectangle 25075_SEO-L25.svg

Rectangles and Squares – Non-Defining Attributes

A non-defining attribute is something that a shape has, but does not always have to be the same. 25075_SEO-L34.svg

Rectangles and Squares – Worksheets

The table below shows the main properties of squares and rectangles.

Squares Rectangles
4 sides 4 sides
All sides have the same length. Opposite sides have the same length.
4 corners 4 corners
4 right angles 4 right angles

Following the video are exercises and squares and rectangles worksheets for continued practice.

Frequently Asked Questions regarding Squares and Rectangles

What are squares and rectangles?
Are squares and rectangles the same?
How are squares and rectangles different?
How are squares and rectangles alike?

Transcript What are Squares and Rectangles?

Nico and Nia are working at the art museum. New paintings just arrived and they are in charge of hanging them on the wall. We can help by finding frames that are in the shape of “ Squares and Rectangles”. Squares and rectangles are shapes. Shapes are two-dimensional figures that we can name based on their “defining attributes”. Defining attributes are characteristics that a shape MUST HAVE. First, let’s look at a square. The defining attributes of a square are that it must be a closed shape and have... four sides that are ALL the SAME length… four corners… and four RIGHT angles. A right angle is the opening in a shape that makes another little square on the INSIDE corner. Let's count the right angles in a square… one(...)two(...)three(...)four. Now, let’s look at a rectangle. A rectangle looks a lot like a square... The defining attributes of a rectangle are that it must have… four sides that are equal on opposite sides. THIS side is equal to THIS one… and THIS side is equal to THIS one. A rectangle must also have four corners… and four right angles. Because squares and rectangles share most attributes, we can group them together. Squares and rectangles also have non-defining attributes. A NON-defining attribute is something that a shape has, but doesn’t always have to be the same. Size is an example of a non-defining attribute. Squares and rectangles can be big,(...)big, (...)BIG... or they can be small,(...)small,(...)small. Color is another non-defining attribute. Squares and rectangles can be ANY color! They can also face in any direction! Let’s identify squares and rectangles! Is this shape a square or a rectangle? Let's start with counting the sides… it has one, (...), two(...) three, (...) four sides. How many of the sides are the same length? All four sides are the same length! This side is equal to this one.... and this side is equal to that one. Now count the corners. It has one, (...) two,(...) three,(...) four corners. Finally, count the right angles on the inside. It has one,(...) two, (...) three,(...) four right angles. Is this shape a square or a rectangle? "This shape is a SQUARE... BUT, this shape can ALSO be called a rectangle! How about this shape? Is this shape a square or a rectangle? Start by counting the sides. One, two, three, four. How many sides are the same length? Two,(...) THIS side is equal to THIS one… and THIS side is equal to THIS one. Now count the corners. One, two, three, four. Finally, count the right angles. How many angles are right angles? Four! Is this shape a square or a rectangle? This shape is a rectangle! Here’s one more! Is this shape a square or a rectangle? (...) NO! This shape is not a square or a rectangle! This shape only has three sides. Now that we know all the attributes of squares and rectangles, let’s help Nico and Nia in the art museum. Look at the pictures at the museum. Can you point to all the paintings that have a frame that is either a square or a rectangle? (...) Here, (...) THIS frame has all the attributes of a square… and THIS frame has all the attributes of a rectangle! This frame is a rectangle, even though it is turned... Here's the last rectangle right here! Remember, (...) Shapes have defining and non-defining attributes. Squares and rectangles are closed shapes that ALWAYS have four sides... four corners… and four right angles. Squares have four sides all the same length… and rectangles have two opposite sides that are the same length. But, they can be any size, ... or color… and face in any direction. “Look Nia!” “Here’s one more picture to hang!” “ Ooohhhh…” “ That’s my favorite!!!”

What are Squares and Rectangles? exercise

Would you like to apply the knowledge you’ve learned? You can review and practice it with the tasks for the video What are Squares and Rectangles?.
  • Count the squares and rectangles.

    Hints

    Make sure to check for right angles. Squares and rectangles MUST have 4 right angles.

    Are opposite sides equal? Rectangles and squares have opposite sides that are equal in length.

    Check the shapes that are in different orientations. Are any of these squares or rectangles?

    Solution

    There are 3 squares (circled in red) and 2 rectangles (circled in blue), so in total there are 5.

  • Facts about squares and rectangles.

    Hints

    Squares and rectangles have 4 right angles.

    Squares and rectangles have 4 vertices.

    Solution

    All squares have 4 right angles. TRUE.

    A square can have 5 vertices. FALSE. A square always has 4 vertices.

    Rectangles can be any color and size. TRUE.

    All rectangles have 4 sides. TRUE.

    Some rectangles have 3 sides in total. FALSE. Rectangles have 4 sides in total.

  • Identify the squares and rectangles.

    Hints

    Remember that squares have 4 sides equal in length.

    Remember that rectangles have 4 straight sides with opposite sides that are equal in length.

    Solution

    There are 5 squares and 3 rectangles in the picture. Here the squares are outlined in red and the rectangles are outlined in yellow.

  • Which shapes are rectangles?

    Hints

    A rectangle is a closed shape, that means the outside of the shape must start and end at the same point.

    Remember, a rectangle must have 4 right angles and opposite sides that are equal in length.

    Solution

    The card, TV, and candy are all rectangles.

    The mountain, dartboard, circle, diamond, and the incomplete rectangle are not rectangles.

  • How many squares and rectangles?

    Hints

    Look at the frame that has been tilted, it is still a rectangle!

    Remember that one of the properties of squares and rectangles is that they must have 4 sides, with opposite sides equal in length.

    Solution

    The fruit and the sunset are in square frames.

    The camels and the sunflowers are in rectangular frames.

  • How many squares are there?

    Hints

    Are there any squares within the squares? In this example, there are 8 small squares but 3 larger squares within the rectangle.

    Solution

    This image shows where 4 of the squares are hidden in the green shape.

    In the red shape, there are 10 squares.

    In the blue shape, there are 5 squares.

    In the green shape, there are 14 squares.

    In the orange shape, there are 3 squares.