Circumference of a parallelogram (diagnoals given only)

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the circumference of a parallelogram given the lengths of its diagonals. The context includes the relationships between the sides and angles of the parallelogram, as well as the implications of the diagonals' properties.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the properties of the parallelogram, including whether it is regular or irregular. There are attempts to apply trigonometric relationships and the properties of diagonals, but challenges arise due to insufficient information about the sides.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants providing hints about the properties of diagonals and questioning the completeness of the information provided. There is recognition that the problem may not have a finite solution due to the variability introduced by the diagonals.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem lacks sufficient information to determine a unique circumference, as the configuration of the diagonals affects the outcome.

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Homework Statement



Given is a parallelogram which has diagonals of the length 7 (e) and 9 units (f). How big is its circumference?

The sides are a,b,c,d; a being the bottom side, rest is anti-clockwise... alpha is the angle of a etc...


Homework Equations



no are given, i guess pythagoras or trig might be useful.

diagonals of a parallelogram (might be useful)

e=sqrt(a^2+d^2+2*a*d*cos(alpha))
f=sqrt (a^2+d^2-2*a*d*cos(alpha))

alpha=gamma
beta=delta
beta=180-alpha

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried using this first of all by drawing lots of triangles in the parallelogram and solve it with pythagoras or trig functions but without success

afterwards i tried using the formulas for the diagonals but without knowing a and d i didn't have much of a success either
 
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is it a regular parallelogram, where a=d, b=c, or not regular one where all, a,b,c,d are of different value?
I am a little bit confused, are these
alpha=gamma
beta=delta
beta=180-alpha some other conditions that you are given, or what?
 
Last edited:
well, a=c and b=d

since the opposing sides are equally long, the opposing angles have to be equal as well; since a=c, alpha=gamma

these angle conditions are just normal rules for a regular parallelogram

hope, this is less confusing now...
 
I am giving a hint:

The diagonals of a parallelogram always intersect in the middle.

EDIT: Talking of midpoints, the question does not hold enough information. If you rotate any of the diagonals from the mid-point, the circumference (or is it the perimeter?) will vary. Thus the question is not finite.
 
Last edited:

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