Properties of a Kite: Definition, Examples, Facts, FAQs

Home » Math Vocabulary » Properties of a Kite: Definition, Examples, Facts, FAQs

What Are the Properties of a Kite?

Properties of a kite are the distinct characteristics or features of the kite shape, its vertices, interior angles, sides, diagonals that makes it a unique shape. 

You’re probably familiar with a kite as a fun paper toy that soars high in the sky wherever the wind carries it. The kite is constructed based on a geometrical shape called a “kite.”  Let’s explore the definition of kite and its properties in geometry.

A Kite

What Is a Kite Shape?

A kite is a quadrilateral, a closed flat geometric shape in which two sets of neighboring or adjacent sides are congruent (equal in length). Its diagonals meet at right angles. 

kite polygon

There are two types of kites.

Convex: Each interior angle measures less than $180^\circ$.

Concave: One interior angle is greater than $180^\circ$. A dart or an arrowhead is an example of a concave kite.

Convex and concave kites

Properties of a Kite

Let’s learn the important properties of a kite in geometry using the following diagram. We will discuss side properties of a kite as well as diagonal properties of a kite.

Here, the longer diagonal RS is referred to as the main or primary diagonal.

A kite PQRS with its diagonals PQ and RS bisecting each other at 90 degrees
  1. Two pairs of adjacent sides are equal. $\left[ PR = QR,\; PS = QS \right]$
  2. Two diagonals intersect each other at right angles. $\left[ PQ \;\bot\; RS \right]$
  3. The kite is symmetrical about the longer diagonal. 
  4. The longer diagonal bisects the shorter diagonal. $\left[ OP = OQ \right]$
  5. The angles opposite to the main diagonal are equal. $\left[\angle P = \angle Q\right]$
  6. The kite is split into two isosceles triangles by the shorter diagonal.

$[\Delta PRQ \;and\; \Delta PSQ]$

  1. The kite is divided into two congruent triangles by the longer diagonal.

$[\Delta PRS \;and\; Delta QRS]$

  1. The longer diagonal bisects the pair of opposite angles. 

$\left[\angle PRS = \angle QRS, \;and\; \angle PSR = \angle QSR\right]$

  1. The area of kite $= \frac{1}{2} \times d_1 \times d_2$, where $d_1,\; d_2$ are lengths of diagonals.
  2. Perimeter of a kite with sides a and b is given by $2\left[a+b\right]$.
  3. The sum of the interior angles of a kite $= 360^\circ$.

Properties of Diagonals of a Kite

Diagonals of a kite
  1. Two diagonals of the kite are perpendicular to each other. Thus, KT and IE intersect at right angles. 
  2. They are not equal in length.  $\left[KT\; IE\right]$
  3. The longer diagonal bisects the shorter diagonal. $\left[OK = OT\right]$
  4. Angles opposite to the longer diagonal are congruent. $\left[\angle K = \angle T\right]$

Fun Facts About Properties of a Kite!

  • When all the sides of a kite are congruent, it becomes a rhombus.
  • Kite is referred to as a dart when it’s not convex. 
  • When all sides are congruent and all interior angles measure 90 degrees, the kite becomes a square.
  • A kite has all the properties of a cyclic quadrilateral. 
  • The product of a kite’s diagonals is equal to half of its area. 

Conclusion

A kite is a quadrilateral form with two pairs of adjacent sides that are congruent. Let’s solve a few examples for better understanding.

Solved Examples on Properties of a Kite

  1. Find the area of a kite whose diagonals are 6 and 18 inches long. 

Solution:

Area of a kite $= \frac{d_1\;d_2}{2}$

$= \frac{(6\times18)}{2}$

$= 54$ square inches. 

  1. Find: 

a) PR 

b) RS 

c) $\angle C$

Kite PQRS

Solution:

  1. Two pairs of adjacent sides of a kite are equal. In the kite PQRS, $PQ = PR \;and\; QS = RS$. 

Since $PQ = 5$ units, $PR = 5$ units.

  1. Similarly, $RS = QS = 10$ units
  2. Angles opposite to the main diagonal are equal. $\angle C = \angle B = 109^\circ$
  1. Four friends are flying identical-sized kites at a park. Each kite has diagonals of 12 inches and 15 inches. Find the total area of four kites combined together. 

Solution:

Lengths of diagonals are:

$d_1 = 12$ in

$d_2 = 15$ in

The area of each kite is:

$A = \frac{1}{2} \times d_1 \times d_2$

    $= \frac{1}{2} \times 12 \times 15$

    $= 90 \;in^2$

Since each kite is the same size, their combined area is equal to $4\times90 = 360 \;in^2$. 

The four kites’ combined surface area is $360 \;in^2$. 

  1. Mike wants to offer his pal a kite-shaped chocolate box. He plans to cover the box’s top with a photo of himself and his friend. Find the area of the box’s top if the lid’s diagonals are 9 in and 12 in

Solution:

d₁=9 in

d₂=12 in

The area of the box’s top is equal to since the box is shaped like a kite. 

$A = \frac{1}{2} \times d_1 \times d_2$

$A = \frac{1}{2} \times 9 \times 12$

Thus, the box’s top surface area is $54\;in^2$

  1. Find the unknown angles of the given kite.

Given that:

$\angle JKL = 130^\circ$

$\angle JML = 50^\circ$

A kite JKLM

Angles opposite to the main diagonal are congruent.

$\angle KJM = \angle KLM$

Hence, $\angle KLM = 130^\circ$

The sum of all angles of the quadrilateral $= 360^\circ$.

$130^\circ + 130^\circ + 50^\circ + \angle JML = 360^\circ$

$\angle JML = 50$

Practice Problems on Properties of a Kite

Properties of a Kite: Definition, Examples, Facts, FAQs

Attend this quiz & Test your knowledge.

1

A kite has an area of $126\; inches^2$ with a diagonal that is 21 inches long. Determine the length of the other diagonal.

18 inches
20 inches
64 square units
12 inches
CorrectIncorrect
Correct answer is: 12 inches
Since the area of a kite is given by $A = \frac{1}{2} \times d_1 \times d_2$
So, $126, \text{inches}^2 = \frac{1}{2} \times 21 \times d_2$
Length of the other diagonal $= 12$ inches.
2

The diagonals of a kite are ________.

congruent
perpendicular
parallel
None of the above
CorrectIncorrect
Correct answer is: perpendicular
Diagonals of a kite are perpendicular.
3

Find the perimeter of a kite whose sides are 21 inches and 15 inches.

100 inches
72 inches
All of the above
None of the above
CorrectIncorrect
Correct answer is: 72 inches
Since the perimeter of the kite$= 2(a + b) = 2(21 + 15) = 72$ inches.
4

If a kite's diagonals are 12 units and 5 units respectively, what is its area?

$98\;units$
$78\;unit^2$
$20\;unit^2$
$30\;unit^2$
CorrectIncorrect
Correct answer is: $30\;unit^2$
Since area of kite $= \frac{1}{2}\times d_1 \times d_2 = 12\times12\times5 = 30\; units^2$.
5

Each interior of a convex kite is __________.

less than $180^\circ$
more than $180^\circ$
less than $90^\circ$
more than $90^\circ$
CorrectIncorrect
Correct answer is: less than $180^\circ$
Each interior angle of a convex kite measures less than $180^\circ$.

Frequently Asked Questions on Properties of a Kite

No, all kites are not rhombuses. When all sides of a kite are congruent, it becomes a rhombus.

Rhombus

No, a kite is not a parallelogram. The opposite sides in a parallelogram are parallel. In a kite, there are no parallel sides.

A kite has only one line of symmetry, which is the longer diagonal.

  • Two pairs of adjacent sides are equal. 
  • Two diagonals intersect each other at right angles. 
  • The longer diagonal bisects the shorter diagonal. 
  • The angles opposite to the main diagonal are equal.