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Geometry from Grids and Lines: Rectangles, Parallelograms, and Rhombuses

Geometry-Mensuration
CAT / Geometry Mensuration / QUANT / Question Bank

Geometry from Grids and Lines: Rectangles, Parallelograms, and Rhombuses

Rectangles, Parallelograms & Rhombuses in Grids and Line Systems

Geometry from Grids and Lines: Rectangles, Parallelograms, and Rhombuses

1. Number of Rectangles Formed by Sets of Parallel Lines (Perpendicular)

If we have two sets of parallel lines—

  • \(m\) horizontal lines
  • \(n\) vertical lines

Then each pair of horizontal lines and each pair of vertical lines forms one unique rectangle.

\[ \text{Number of Rectangles} = \binom{m}{2} \times \binom{n}{2} = \frac{m(m-1)}{2} \times \frac{n(n-1)}{2} \]

2. Number of Parallelograms Formed by Two Sets of Parallel Lines (Non-perpendicular)

If we have:

  • \(m\) lines in one direction
  • \(n\) lines in another direction (not perpendicular)

Then, the number of parallelograms formed is the same as for rectangles:

\[ \text{Number of Parallelograms} = \binom{m}{2} \times \binom{n}{2} = \frac{m(m-1)}{2} \times \frac{n(n-1)}{2} \]

3. Number of Rhombuses Formed (in a Rhombic Grid)

In special cases where both sets of lines are inclined and form equal angles with the horizontal, the parallelograms can become rhombuses.

Again, the formula remains the same:

\[ \text{Number of Rhombuses} = \binom{m}{2} \times \binom{n}{2} = \frac{m(m-1)}{2} \times \frac{n(n-1)}{2} \]

4. Special Case – Rectangles & Squares in a Grid

In a \(m \times n\) rectangular grid:

🔹 Number of Rectangles

\[ \sum_{i=1}^{m} \sum_{j=1}^{n} i \cdot j = \frac{m(m+1)}{2} \cdot \frac{n(n+1)}{2} \]

🔹 Number of Squares

Only square grids of size \(1 \times 1\), \(2 \times 2\), ..., \(\min(m,n) \times \min(m,n)\) are considered.

\[ \text{Total Squares} = \sum_{k=1}^{\min(m,n)} (m-k+1)(n-k+1) \]
📌 Tip for CAT/XAT Exams: Memorize these combinatorial formulas for quick application. Look for questions involving square grids or inclined lines forming geometric patterns.
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