Definition:Quadrilateral/Parallelogram/Altitude

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Definition

Parallelogram.png

An altitude of a parallelogram is a line drawn perpendicular to its base, through one of its vertices to the side opposite to the base (which is extended if necessary).

In the parallelogram above, line $DE$ is an altitude of the parallelogram $ABCD$.


The term is also used for the length of such a line.


Also defined as

The word altitude is often used in the context of a geometric figure to mean the height.

However, on $\mathsf{Pr} \infty \mathsf{fWiki}$ it is preferred if the terms altitude and height are used specifically to mean respectively the perpendicular and its length, to avoid confusion.


Also see