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1.3.1: Constructing Equilateral Triangles Inscribed in Circles

The town of Fairside is planning an outdoor concert in the
park. During the planning process, committee members
determined there will be two large speakers, but they
can’t decide where the audience should sit. The best
arrangement for two speakers and the center of the
audience is a triangle where each angle is 60˚.

The diagram on the next slide depicts the line segment

formed by the two speakers; a 60˚ angle is also shown.

1.3.1: Constructing Equilateral Triangles Inscribed in Circles

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1.3.1: Constructing Equilateral Triangles Inscribed in Circles

1. Use the 60˚ angle and the given segment to
construct the triangle created by the two speakers
and the center of the audience.

2. Triangles are said to be congruent if the angle

measures of both triangles are the same and the
lengths of the sides are the same. Is it possible to
construct a second non-congruent triangle using the
given information? Explain your reasoning.

1.3.1: Constructing Equilateral Triangles Inscribed in Circles

1. Use the 60˚ angle and the given segment to
construct the triangle created by the two speakers
and the center of the audience.
• The speakers represent two of the three vertices
of the triangle.
• Use the segment that joins each of the speakers
as one side of the triangle.
• Copy the given 60˚ angle using construction
methods previously learned.

1.3.1: Constructing Equilateral Triangles Inscribed in Circles

 • Use the point on Speaker 1 as the vertex of one of
the angles.
• Copy the given 60˚ angle a second time, using the
point on Speaker 2 as the vertex of the second
angle.
• Extend the sides of the copied angles to find the
point of intersection.
• The point of intersection represents the center of
the audience.

1.3.1: Constructing Equilateral Triangles Inscribed in Circles

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1.3.1: Constructing Equilateral Triangles Inscribed in Circles

2. Triangles are said to be congruent if the angle
measures of both triangles are the same and the
lengths of the sides are the same. Is it possible to
construct a second non-congruent triangle using the
given information? Explain your reasoning.
• It is not possible to construct a second non-
congruent triangle.
• The given information includes two angle
measures and a side length between those two
angles.

1.3.1: Constructing Equilateral Triangles Inscribed in Circles

 • It is not possible to construct a different triangle
with these measurements.
• If you have two triangles and any two angles and
the included side are equal, then the triangles are
congruent. This concept will be explained in more
detail later in the unit.

1.3.1: Constructing Equilateral Triangles Inscribed in Circles