Is a square a rectangle? Yes or No? Why?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Yes, a square is a rectangle.
A square is a special type of rectangle. To explain this, let’s break down the definition of a rectangle. A rectangle is a quadrilateral with four right angles (90-degree angles). The key property that defines a rectangle is the presence of these right angles, but it does not require the sides to be equal. As long as opposite sides are parallel and of equal length, and all four angles are 90 degrees, the shape is considered a rectangle.
A square fits this definition. A square has four right angles, making it a rectangle. In addition to having right angles, a square also has all four sides equal in length, which is an extra characteristic. The fact that all sides are equal does not change the fact that it is a rectangle. The extra property of equal sides makes the square a more specific type of rectangle, often referred to as a “regular rectangle.”
Therefore, while all squares are rectangles, not all rectangles are squares. The square is a subset of rectangles, possessing the same defining qualities of a rectangle, with the added feature of equal-length sides.
In summary, a square is a rectangle because it satisfies all the conditions required to be a rectangle—four right angles and opposite sides of equal length. The additional property of having all sides equal simply makes it a specific type of rectangle, not a separate category of shape.