Properties of quadrilaterals worksheets for 11+ maths
21 October 2026
Understanding quadrilaterals for 11+ maths
Knowing the properties of quadrilaterals is a key part of 11+ maths. Questions often ask children to spot, describe or compare shapes like parallelograms, rectangles, rhombuses, squares and trapeziums. A solid grasp of these properties helps children solve shape and reasoning problems with confidence.
Key properties of common quadrilaterals
A parallelogram has two pairs of parallel sides and opposite angles are equal. A rectangle is a special parallelogram with four right angles. A rhombus has all sides equal and opposite angles equal, but the angles are not always right angles. A square is both a rectangle and a rhombus: all sides equal and all angles are right angles. A trapezium has one pair of parallel sides.
Worked example
A parallelogram has three angles given: 70°, 110° and 70°. What is the fourth angle?
Step 1: Add the three known angles: 70 + 110 + 70 = 250°.
Step 2: The sum of all angles in any quadrilateral is 360°.
Step 3: Subtract the total of the known angles from 360°: 360 - 250 = 110°.
The correct answer is 110°.
Summary
Learning how to recognise and describe quadrilaterals gives children a real advantage in 11+ maths. Practising with a range of shapes helps build confidence for exam questions.
Key insight: Understanding the properties of quadrilaterals allows children to solve a wide range of 11+ exam questions quickly and accurately.
