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John has written the following proof showing that the diagonals of a parallelogram are equal in length.  The diagonals of a parallelogram are not necessarily equal, so he must have made an error.  Identify and explain the error.

4 years ago

Answered By Emily D

You're missing part of this question, but it looks like a similar one was asked a few years ago so I'll try to answer using that version!

INCORRECT PROOF:

AB = ED       |     Opposite sides of parallelogram

BAE = AED   |      Alternate interior angles****

ABD = BDE   |     Alternate interoir angles****

ABC = EDC   |   ASA

BC = EC      |   Corresponding sides of congruent angles

AC = DC      |   Corresponding sides of congruent angles

AE = BD      |   AC + CE = DC + CB

 

WHY IT'S INCORRECT:

This is easier to understand if you draw out a diagram of the problem (that funky looking letter should be an E).

****The only way that both BAE = AED and ABD = BDE is if the corners are 90. This would make it a rectangle or square, so still a parallelogram, but parallelograms don't NEED to be squares/rectangles. 

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