Question:medium

If the points A(6, 1), B(p, 2), C(9, 4) and D(7, q) are the vertices of a parallelogram ABCD, then find the values of p and q. Hence, check whether ABCD is a rectangle or not.

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For a parallelogram, diagonals bisect each other. For a rectangle, adjacent sides must be perpendicular (check slopes).
Updated On: Jan 13, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Given points:
\(A(6, 1), B(p, 2), C(9, 4), D(7, q)\)
ABCD is a parallelogram.

Step 1: Determine p and q using parallelogram properties
In a parallelogram, diagonals bisect each other, thus the midpoint of \(AC\) equals the midpoint of \(BD\).

Midpoint of \(AC\):
\[\left( \frac{6 + 9}{2}, \frac{1 + 4}{2} \right) = (7.5, 2.5)\]
Midpoint of \(BD\):
\[\left( \frac{p + 7}{2}, \frac{2 + q}{2} \right)\]

Equating midpoints:
\[\frac{p + 7}{2} = 7.5 \quad \Rightarrow \quad p + 7 = 15 \quad \Rightarrow \quad p = 8\]
\[\frac{2 + q}{2} = 2.5 \quad \Rightarrow \quad 2 + q = 5 \quad \Rightarrow \quad q = 3\]

Step 2: Check if ABCD is a rectangle
A parallelogram is a rectangle if adjacent sides are perpendicular (product of slopes is \(-1\)).
Check slopes of \(AB\) and \(BC\).

Calculate slope of \(AB\):
\[m_{AB} = \frac{2 - 1}{8 - 6} = \frac{1}{2} = 0.5\]
Calculate slope of \(BC\):
\[m_{BC} = \frac{4 - 2}{9 - 8} = \frac{2}{1} = 2\]
Check product of slopes:
\[m_{AB} \times m_{BC} = 0.5 \times 2 = 1 eq -1\]
Since the product of slopes is not \(-1\), sides \(AB\) and \(BC\) are not perpendicular.
Therefore, ABCD is not a rectangle.

Final Answer:
\(p = 8\), \(q = 3\)
ABCD is not a rectangle.
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