Mathematical definitions - Trapezoid / Trapezium

In British English, a trapezium is a a quadrilateral with no parallel sides (trapezoid).

In American English, the trapezium is a bone in the wrist at the base of the thumb.

Hence the conflict. I found this info at http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary

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Hello Wy,

Many thanks for your help.

Canoe.

Trapezoids
A trapezoid is a quadrilateral with two sides parallel. Yea, i had it for a math test, so I know!

testing 123...

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Hi Spacemanspiff 1313,

Thanks for that , and yes, you are correct. Trapezium is the word that causes conflict.

Canoe.

There is something wrong. My posts have been deleted twice now! grrrr

We all know that this a vast left-wing and/or right-wing conspiracy to suppress the truth about trapezia!

One more time...

In British usage trapezium is a synonym for trapezoid.

In American usage it is something else entirely. It is a four-sided figure that has no parallel sides. Now don't ask me why it is necessary to have a name for such a shape...

/Kayyam