Difference Between Square and Rhombus

Square vs Rhombus

In geometry, you may have learned about squares and the rhombus. These are two shapes that have peculiar similarities because they fall under the same family of parallelograms or quadrilaterals. But before differentiating the two, it is best to know what a parallelogram really is.

A parallelogram is just your basic quadrangle (a shape that has four “quad” angles). Its opposing sides are also parallel to each other thereby explaining its name. The opposing sides are termed as the bases of the shape, and the lateral distance drawn in-between the bases is termed as the height.

Some parallelograms have angles of 90 degrees while other shapes don’t necessarily form these right angles. If the parallelogram has right 90-degree angles, then it is either one of the two: a square or a rectangle. For a rectangle, its pair parallel sides are of equal dimension (length or width) while in a square, all the sides are of equal dimensions.

By contrast, a rhombus is another parallelogram that, unlike the square, has no right angles. All of its sides have the same characteristics of being equal in length or width as in the case of squares. Because of its odd internal angular shape, the rhombus best represents the visual identity of a common diamond shape. The term itself is of Ancient Greek origin which translates as a “spinning top.” Another property of the rhombus is its opposing internal angles having the same angular measure. This means that the immediately adjacent angle of one corner inside the rhombus does not have the same angular measurement.

In relation to the inside corner angles of the square being 90 degrees, the square’s sides are perpendicular to one another unlike in the case of the rhombus. However, if you connect each corner of the rhombus to its opposite corner using two straight lines that are drawn through the middle of the shape, then you’ll come up with a central intersection that creates four right angle diagonals. In this sense, the rhombus would seem to be divided into four congruent (equal) triangles.

Summary:

1.A square is a parallelogram with right angles while a rhombus is another parallelogram without any right angles.
2.In a rhombus, its sides are not perpendicular to one another unlike in the case of squares.
3.Only the opposing internal angles of the rhombus have the same angular measures. All opposing angles of the square are the same (90 degrees).
4.A square is a very symmetric shape or object in terms of both its length and internal angular measures.

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