Grade
4

Same & Different: Comparing Shapes

Look at the two pictures. What do you notice?

A: A trapezoid with a top of 8 inches, sides of 6 inches, and bottom of 10 inches. B: A quadrilateral with a top of 8 and 1-half inches, a left side of 5 inches, a right side of 8 and 1-half inches and a bottom of 8 inches. The bottom and 2 sides form right angles, so the sides are parallel.
  1. How are pictures A and B mathematically the same, and how are they different?
    • A and B are the same because …
    • A and B are different because …
  2. Make a third figure with the dimensions labeled. Explain how your picture is the same as pictures A and B, and how it is different.
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Reference for Educators

Sample problems and solutions