GRACE MISSION COLLEGE

Catiningan, Socorro, Oriental Mindoro

e-Mail: [email protected]

Module 2 in Plane and Solid Geometry

TRIANGLES

DEFINITION OF A TRIANGLE

A triangle is the union of three segments determined by three noncollinear points.

ANGLE SUM OF A TRIANGLE

Theorem 25: The sum of the interior angles of any triangle is 180°.

m ∠ A + m ∠ B + m ∠ C = 180°

Example 1: If m ∠ A = 40° and m ∠ B = 60°, find m ∠ C.

m ∠ A + m ∠ B + m ∠ C = 180°
m ∠ C = 180° - (m ∠ A + m ∠ B )t5r/’54.;
m ∠ C = 180° - ( 40° + 60°)
m ∠ C = 80°

EXTERIOR ANGLE OF A TRIANGLE

An exterior angle of a triangle is formed when one side of a triangle is extended. The non-straight
angle (the one that is not just the extension of the side) outside the triangle, but adjacent to an interior angle,
is an exterior angle of the triangle (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Exterior angle of a triangle.

In Figure 1, ∠ BCD is an exterior angle of Δ ABC.

Because m ∠1 + m ∠2 + m ∠3 = 180°, and m ∠3 + m ∠4 = 180°, you can prove that m ∠4 = m ∠1

+ m ∠2. This is stated as a theorem.

Theorem 26: An exterior angle of a triangle is equal to the sum of the two remote (nonadjacent) interior
angles.

Example 1: In Figure 1, if m ∠1 = 30° and m ∠2 = 100°, find m ∠4.

Because ∠4 is an exterior angle of the triangle,

m ∠4 = m ∠1 + m ∠2
 m ∠4 = 30° + 100°

m ∠4 = 130°

CLASSIFICATION OF TRIANGLES BY SIDES OR ANGLES

Triangles can be classified either according to their sides or according to their angles. All of each may
be of different or the same sizes; any two sides or angles may be of the same size; there may be one distinctive
angle.

The types of triangles classified by their sides are the following:

 Equilateral triangle: A triangle with all three sides equal in measure. In Figure 1, the slash marks
indicate equal measure.

Figure 1. Equilateral triangle

 Isosceles triangle: A triangle in which at least two sides have equal measure (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Isosceles triangles

 Scalene triangle: A triangle with all three sides of different measures (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Scalene triangle

The types of triangles classified by their angles include the following:

 Right triangle: A triangle that has a right angle in its interior (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Right triangle

 Obtuse triangle: A triangle having an obtuse angle (greater than 90° but less than 180°) in its interior.
Figure 5 shows an obtuse triangle.
 Figure 5. Obtuse triangle

 Acute triangle: A triangle having all acute angles (less than 90°) in its interior (Figure 6).

Figure 6. Acute triangle

 Equiangular triangle: A triangle having all angles of equal measure (Figure 7).

Figure 7. Equiangular triangle

Because the sum of all the angles of a triangle is 180°, the following theorem is easily shown.

Theorem 27: Each angle of an equiangular triangle has a measure of 60°.

SPECIAL NAMES FOR SIDES AND ANGLES

Legs, base, vertex angle, and base angles.

In an isosceles triangle, the two equal sides are called legs, and the third side is called the base. The
angle formed by the two equal sides is called the vertex angle. The other two angles are called base
angles (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Parts of an isosceles triangle

 In a right triangle, the side opposite the right angle is called the hypotenuse, and the other two sides
are called legs (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Parts of a right triangle

ALTITUDES, MEDIANS AND ANGLE BISECTORS

Just as there are special names for special types of triangles, so there are special names for special line
segments within triangles. Now isn't that kind of special?

Base and altitude

Every triangle has three bases (any of its sides) and three altitudes (heights). Every altitude is the
perpendicular segment from a vertex to its opposite side (or the extension of the opposite side) (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Three bases and three altitudes for the same triangle

Altitudes can sometimes coincide with a side of the triangle or can sometimes meet an extended base
outside the triangle. In Figure 2, AC is an altitude to base BC , and BC is an altitude to base AC .

Figure 2. In a right triangle, each leg can serve as an altitude

In Figure 3, AM is the altitude to base BC .

Figure 3. An altitude for an obtuse triangle

It is interesting to note that in any triangle, the three lines containing the altitudes meet in one point
(Figure 4).
Figure 4. The three lines containing the altitudes intersect in a single point, which may or may not be inside
the triangle

Median

A median in a triangle is the line segment drawn from a vertex to the midpoint of its opposite side.
Every triangle has three medians. In Figure 5, E is the midpoint of BC . Therefore, BE = EC. AE is a median
of Δ ABC.

Figure 5. A median of a triangle

In every triangle, the three medians meet in one point inside the triangle (Figure 6).

Figure 6. The three medians meet in a single point inside the triangle
Angle bisector

An angle bisector in a triangle is a segment drawn from a vertex that bisects (cuts in half) that vertex
angle. Every triangle has three angle bisectors. In Figure 7, is an angle bisector in Δ ABC.

Figure 7. An angle bisector

In every triangle, the three angle bisectors meet in one point inside the triangle (Figure 8).
 Figure 8. The three angle bisectors meet in a single point inside the triangle

In general, altitudes, medians, and angle bisectors are different segments. In certain triangles, though,
they can be the same segments. In Figure , the altitude drawn from the vertex angle of an isosceles triangle
can be proven to be a median as well as an angle bisector.

Figure 9. The altitude drawn from the vertex angle of an isosceles triangle

Example 1: Based on the markings in Figure 10, name an altitude of Δ QRS, name a median of Δ QRS, and
name an angle bisector of Δ QRS.

Figure 10. Finding an altitude, a median, and an angle bisector

RT is an altitude to base QS because RT ⊥ QS .

SP is a median to base QR because P is the midpoint of QR .
QU is an angle bisector of Δ QRS because it bisects ∠ RQS.

CONGRUENT TRIANGLES

Triangles that have exactly the same size and shape are called congruent triangles. The symbol for
congruent is ≅. Two triangles are congruent when the three sides and the three angles of one triangle have the
same measurements as three sides and three angles of another triangle. The triangles in Figure 1 are congruent
triangles.

Figure 1. Congruent triangles

Corresponding parts

The parts of the two triangles that have the same measurements (congruent) are referred to
as corresponding parts. This means that Corresponding Parts of Congruent Triangles are
Congruent (CPCTC). Congruent triangles are named by listing their vertices in corresponding orders. In
Figure , Δ BAT ≅ Δ ICE.

Example 1: If Δ PQR ≅ Δ STU which parts must have equal measurements?

m ∠P = m ∠S
m ∠Q = m ∠T
m ∠R = m ∠U
PQ = ST
QR = TU
PR = SU

These parts are equal because corresponding parts of congruent triangles are congruent.

Tests for congruence

To show that two triangles are congruent, it is not necessary to show that all six pairs of corresponding
parts are equal. The following postulates and theorems are the most common methods for proving that
triangles are congruent (or equal).

Postulate 13 (SSS Postulate): If each side of one triangle is congruent to the corresponding side of another
triangle, then the triangles are congruent (Figure 2).

Figure 2. The corresponding sides (SSS) of the two triangles are all congruent

Postulate 14 (SAS Postulate): If two sides and the angle between them in one triangle are congruent to the
corresponding parts in another triangle, then the triangles are congruent (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Two sides and the included angle (SAS) of one triangle are congruent to the corresponding parts
of the other triangle.

Postulate 15 (ASA Postulate): If two angles and the side between them in one triangle are congruent to the
corresponding parts in another triangle, then the triangles are congruent (Figure 4).
 Figure 4. Two angles and their common side (ASA) in one triangle are congruent to the corresponding
parts of the other triangle.

Theorem 28 (AAS Theorem): If two angles and a side not between them in one triangle are congruent to the
corresponding parts in another triangle, then the triangles are congruent (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Two angles and the side opposite one of these angles (AAS) in one triangle are congruent to the
corresponding parts of the other triangle.

Postulate 16 (HL Postulate): If the hypotenuse and leg of one right triangle are congruent to the corresponding
parts of another right triangle, then the triangles are congruent (Figure 6).

Figure 6. The hypotenuse and one leg (HL) of the first right triangle are congruent to the corresponding
parts of the second right triangle.

Theorem 29 (HA Theorem): If the hypotenuse and an acute angle of one right triangle are congruent to the
corresponding parts of another right triangle, then the triangles are congruent (Figure 7).
 Figure 7. The hypotenuse and an acute angle (HA) of the first right triangle are congruent to the
corresponding parts of the second right triangle.

Theorem 30 (LL Theorem): If the legs of one right triangle are congruent to the corresponding parts of another
right triangle, then the triangles are congruent (Figure 8).

Figure 8 The legs (LL) of the first right triangle are congruent to the corresponding parts of the second
right triangle.

Theorem 31 (LA Theorem): If one leg and an acute angle of one right triangle are congruent to the
corresponding parts of another right triangle, then the triangles are congruent (Figure 9).

Figure 9. One leg and an acute angle (LA) of the first right triangle are congruent to the corresponding
parts of the second right triangle

Example 2: Based on the markings in Figure 10, complete the congruence statement Δ ABC ≅____.

Figure 10. Congruent triangles.

Δ ABC ≅ Δ YXZ, because A corresponds to Y, B corresponds to X, and C corresponds, to Z.

Example 3: Name the additional equal corresponding part(s) needed to prove the triangles in Figures 11 (a)
through 12 (f) congruent by the indicated postulate or theorem.
 Figure 11. Additional information needed to prove pairs of triangles congruent

 (a) BC = EF or AB = DE ( but not AC = DF because these two sides lie between the equal angles).
 (b) GI = JL.
 (c) MO = PO and NO = RO.
 (d) TU = WX and SU = VX.
 (e) m ∠ T = m ∠ E and m ∠TOW = m ∠ EON.
 (f) IX = EN or SX = TN (but not IS = ET because they are hypotenuses).

SPECIAL FEATURES OF ISOSCELES TRIANGLES

Isosceles triangles are special and because of that there are unique relationships that involve their
internal line segments. Consider isosceles triangle ABC in Figure 1.

Figure 1. An isosceles triangle with a median

 With a median drawn from the vertex to the base, BC , it can be proven that Δ BAX ≅ Δ CAX, which
leads to several important theorems.

Theorem 32: If two sides of a triangle are equal, then the angles opposite those sides are also equal.

Theorem 33: If a triangle is equilateral, then it is also equiangular.

Theorem 34: If two angles of a triangle are equal, then the sides opposite these angles are also equal.

Theorem 35: If a triangle is equiangular, then it is also equilateral.

Example 1: Figure has Δ QRS with QR = QS. If m ∠ Q = 50°, find m ∠ R and m ∠ S.

Figure 2. An isosceles triangle with a specified vertex angle

Because m ∠ Q + m ∠ R + m ∠ S = 180°, and because QR = QS implies that m ∠ R = m ∠ S,

m ∠ Q + m ∠ R + m ∠ S = 180°
50° + 2m ∠R = 180°
2m ∠R = 130 °
m ∠R = 65 ° and m ∠S = 65 °

Example 2: Figure 3 has Δ ABC with m ∠ A = m ∠ B = m ∠ C, and AB = 6. Find BC and AC.

Figure 3 An equiangular triangle with a specified side.

Because the triangle is equiangular, it is also equilateral. Therefore, BC = AC = 6.

TRIANGLE INEQUALITIES: SIDES AND ANGLES

You have just seen that if a triangle has equal sides, the angles opposite these sides are equal, and if a
triangle has equal angles, the sides opposite these angles are equal. There are two important theorems
involving unequal sides and unequal angles in triangles. They are:

Theorem 36: If two sides of a triangle are unequal, then the measures of the angles opposite these sides are
unequal, and the greater angle is opposite the greater side.
Theorem 37: If two angles of a triangle are unequal, then the measures of the sides opposite these angles are
also unequal, and the longer side is opposite the greater angle.

Example 1: Figure 1 shows a triangle with angles of different measures. List the sides of this triangle in order
from least to greatest.

Figure 1. List the sides of this triangle in increasing order

Because 30° < 50° < 100°, then RS < QR < QS.

Example 2: Figure 2 shows a triangle with sides of different measures. List the angles of this triangle in order
from least to greatest.

Figure 2. List the angles of this triangle in increasing order

Because 6 < 8 < 11, then m ∠ N < m ∠ M < m ∠ P.

Example 3: Figure 3 shows right Δ ABC. Which side must be the longest?

Figure 3. Identify the longest side of this right triangle.

Because ∠ A + m ∠ B + m ∠ C = 180 ° (by Theorem 25) and m ∠ = 90°, we have m ∠ A + m ∠ C =

90°. Thus, each of m ∠ A and m ∠ C is less than 90°. Thus ∠ B is the angle of greatest measure in the triangle,
so its opposite side is the longest. Therefore, the hypotenuse, AC , is the longest side in a right triangle.

THE TRIANGLE INEQUALITY THEOREM

In Δ TAB (Figure ), if T, A, and B represent three points on a map and you want to go
from T to B, going from T to A to B would obviously be longer than going directly from T to B. The following
theorem expresses this idea.

Figure 1. Two paths from T to B.

Theorem 38 (Triangle Inequality Theorem): The sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle is greater
than the length of the third side.
Example 1: In Figure 2, the measures of two sides of a triangle are 7 and 12. Find the range of possibilities
for the third side.

Figure 2. What values of x will make a triangle possible?

Using the Triangle Inequality Theorem, you can write the following:

7 + x > 12, so x > 5

7 + 12 > x, so 19 > x (or x < 19)

Therefore, the third side must be more than 5 and less than 19.
 ACTIVITY SHEET

(Module 2 – Week 3 to 5)

A. Draw a triangle that satisfies the given conditions. If there is no such triangle, write NONE.

1. Scalene and acute 4. Scalene and obtuse

2. Scalene and right 5. Isosceles and obtuse Q
3. Isosceles and acute 6. Equilateral and right

B. Find the measure of each angle of ∆PQR.

1. m ∠QPR = 87; m ∠Q = 63 1
2. m ∠QPR = 5x; m ∠Q = 7x; m ∠QPR = 8x – 20
P
3. ∠QPR is a right angle; m ∠Q = 53 2
4. m ∠QPR = 4x+7; m ∠QRP = 3(x-2); m ∠1= 85 R
5. m ∠QPR = 8x; m ∠Q = 7x; m ∠2= 2(x+65)

C. A base angle of an isosceles triangle measures 50. Find the measures of the other two angles given AC
= BC.

1. m∠1 = _______ 1 C
2. m∠2 = _______
3. m∠3 = _______
4. m∠4 = _______
5. AC = x – 3 and BC = 2x – 8. Find AC. 3 4 5
A B
D. To measure the height AC of a pole, a surveyor stood at B and measured ∠ABC. He
then marked off BE so m∠ABE = m∠ABC. He next marked off AF so m∠BAF =
90 with D the intersection of AF and BE. Explain why ∆ABC ≅ ∆ABD. What
ground measurement could the surveyor make to find the height of the pole?

E. By what method would each of the triangles in the figure below be proven
congruent?

F. Can a triangle have sides of the given lengths using Triangle Inequality Theorem?

1. 11, 9, 16
2. 5, 7, 9
3. 2y, 2y – 7, 2y + 9