GRACE MISSION COLLEGE

Catiningan, Socorro, Oriental Mindoro

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Module 2 in Plane and Solid Geometry

TRIANGLES

ANGLE SUM OF A TRIANGLE

With the use of the Parallel Postulate, the following theorem can be proven.

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 )
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°
CLASSIFYING 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: By what method would each of the triangles in Figures 11 (a) through 11 (i) be proven
congruent?

Figure 11. Methods of proving pairs of triangles congruent

 (a) SAS.
 (b) None. There is no AAA method.
 (c) HL.
 (d) AAS.
 (e) SSS. The third pair of congruent sides is the side that is shared by the two triangles.
 (f) SAS or LL.
 (g) LL or SAS.
 (h) HA or AAS.
 (i) None. There is no SSA method.

Example 4: Name the additional equal corresponding part(s) needed to prove the triangles in Figures
12 (a) through 12 (f) congruent by the indicated postulate or theorem.
 Figure 12. 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.