Lesson 3-1

Triangle
Fundamentals
Lesson 3-1: Triangle 1
Fundamentals
 Naming Triangles
Triangles are named by using its vertices.
For example, we can call the following triangle:
B
ABC ACB BAC
BCA CAB CBA

Lesson 3-1: Triangle 2

Fundamentals
 Opposite Sides and Angles

Opposite Sides:
A
Side opposite to A : BC

Side opposite to B : AC
Side opposite to C : AB
B C
Opposite Angles:

Angle opposite to BC : A
Angle opposite to AC : B
Angle opposite to AB : C
Lesson 3-1: Triangle 3
Fundamentals
 Classifying Triangles by Sides
Scalene: A triangle in which all 3 sides are different lengths.
A A

B C C
BC = 3.55 cm B BC = 5.16 cm

Isosceles: A triangle in which at least 2 sides are equal.

G
Equilateral: A triangle in which all 3 sides are equal.
GH = 3.70 cm

H HI = 3.70 cm I
Lesson 3-1: Triangle 4
Fundamentals
 Classifying Triangles by Angles
Acute: A triangle in which all 3 angles are less than 90.
G
76

57 47
Obtuse: H I
A
A triangle in which one and only one
angle is greater than 90& less than 180 44

28 108 C
B
Lesson 3-1: Triangle 5
Fundamentals
 Classifying Triangles by Angles
Right: A triangle in which one and only one angle is 90
A
56
90 34
B C
Equiangular: A triangle in which all 3 angles are the same measure.
B
60

60 60
A C
Lesson 3-1: Triangle 6
Fundamentals
Classification by Sides
with Flow Charts & Venn Diagrams
Polygon polygons

triangles
Triangle
scalene

Scalene Isosceles isosceles

equilateral

Equilateral
Lesson 3-1: Triangle 7
Fundamentals
Classification by Angles
with Flow Charts & Venn Diagrams
Polygon polygons

triangles
Triangle right

acute

equiangular
Right Obtuse Acute

obtuse
Equiangular

Lesson 3-1: Triangle 8

Fundamentals
 Theorems & Corollaries
Triangle Sum Theorem: The sum of the interior angles in a
triangle is 180.
Third Angle Theorem:
If two angles of one triangle are congruent to two angles of a second
triangle, then the third angles of the triangles are congruent.

Corollary 1: Each angle in an equiangular triangle is 60.

Corollary 2: Acute angles in a right triangle are complementary.

Corollary 3: There can be at most one right or obtuse angle in a

triangle.
Lesson 3-1: Triangle 9
Fundamentals
 Exterior Angle Theorem
The measure of the exterior angle of a triangle is equal to
the sum of the measures of the remote interior angles.
Remote Interior Angles A
Exterior Angle
mACD mA mB
D
Example: Find the mA. B
C
B 3x - 22 = x + 80
80
3x x = 80 + 22 mA = x = 51
x (3x-22)
A C D
2x = 102
Lesson 3-1: Triangle 10
Fundamentals
Median - Special Segment of Triangle
Definition: A segment from the vertex of the triangle to the
midpoint of the opposite side.
B
Since there are three vertices, there are three medians.
C
F

A E D

In the figure C, E and F are the midpoints of the sides of the triangle.

DC , AF , BE are the medians of the triangle.

Lesson 3-1: Triangle 11

Fundamentals
Altitude - Special Segment of Triangle
Definition: The perpendicular segment from a vertex of the triangle
B
to the segment that contains the opposite side.
C
AF , BE , DC are the altitudes of the triangle.
B F
In a right triangle, two of the
altitudes are the legs of the triangle. F
B AB, AD, AF altitudes of right A E D
F
A D
In an obtuse triangle, two of the altitudes
are outside of the triangle.
I A D
K BI , DK , AF altitudes of obtuse
Lesson 3-1: Triangle 12
Fundamentals
 Perpendicular Bisector Special
Segment of a triangle
Definition: A line (or ray or segment) that is perpendicular to a
segment at its midpoint.
The perpendicular bisector does not have to start from a vertex!
P
Example:
M
A
E
A B
O Q
D R
C
B L N In the isosceles
POQ, PR is
In the scalene CDE, AB In the right MLN, AB is the perpendicular
is the perpendicular bisector. the perpendicular bisector. bisector.

Lesson 3-1: Triangle 13

Fundamentals