Question 19
Through construction, explore if it is possible to construct an equilateral triangle that is: (i) right-angled (ii) obtuse-angled.
Also construct an isosceles triangle that is: (i) right-angled (ii) obtuse-angled.
- The sum of all interior angles in any triangle is always .
- An equilateral triangle has all three sides equal and all three angles equal ( each).
- An isosceles triangle has at least two equal sides and two equal opposite angles.
- A right-angled triangle contains one angle, while an obtuse-angled triangle contains one angle greater than .
Equilateral (i) Explore if it is possible to construct an equilateral triangle that is right-angled.
Step 1 · Check if an Equilateral Triangle Can Be Right-Angled
In an equilateral triangle, all three angles are equal. Let each angle be .
By the angle sum property of a triangle:
A right-angled triangle must have one angle equal to . Since every angle in an equilateral triangle is fixed at , an equilateral triangle cannot be right-angled.
Equilateral (i) Not possible (an equilateral triangle cannot be right-angled).
Equilateral (ii) Explore if it is possible to construct an equilateral triangle that is obtuse-angled.
Step 1 · Check if an Equilateral Triangle Can Be Obtuse-Angled
An obtuse-angled triangle requires one angle to be strictly greater than .
Since every angle of an equilateral triangle is always (), no angle can be obtuse. Therefore, an equilateral triangle cannot be obtuse-angled.
Equilateral (ii) Not possible (an equilateral triangle cannot be obtuse-angled).
Isosceles (i) Construct an isosceles triangle that is right-angled.
Step 1 · Determine Angles and Construct Isosceles Right Triangle
Let the right angle be and the other two equal angles be .
Thus, a triangle with angles is possible.Steps of Construction:
- Draw a line segment .
- At point , construct a ray perpendicular to (forming a angle).
- Measure equal lengths along and the perpendicular ray from point to get point ().
- Join points and . Triangle is the required isosceles right-angled triangle.
Isosceles (i) Possible; an isosceles right triangle has angles .
Isosceles (ii) Construct an isosceles triangle that is obtuse-angled.
Step 1 · Determine Angles and Construct Isosceles Obtuse Triangle
An obtuse angle is greater than .
- Case 1: If the two equal angles were obtuse (), their sum , exceeding the triangle sum limit.
- Case 2: If the unique angle is obtuse (e.g., ) and the two equal angles are :
Thus, an isosceles triangle with angles is possible.Steps of Construction:
- Draw a line segment .
- At point , draw a ray such that is obtuse (e.g., ).
- Mark point such that .
- Join points and . Triangle is the required isosceles obtuse-angled triangle.
Isosceles (ii) Possible; an isosceles obtuse triangle can have angles such as .
- Fixed Equilateral Angles: Forgetting that all equilateral triangles strictly have angles of , so they can never be right-angled or obtuse-angled.
- Two Obtuse Angles in Isosceles: Attempting to make the two equal base angles obtuse; having two angles makes their sum alone , which violates the angle sum property.
- Unequal Legs in Construction: Forgetting to measure equal lengths along the two arms forming the or obtuse angle to ensure the triangle is isosceles.
More questions in FIO
Use the points on the circle and/or the centre to form isosceles triangles.
Use the points on the circles and/or their centres to form isosceles and equilateral triangles. The circles are of the same size.
We checked by construction that there are no triangles having sidelengths , and ; and , and . Check if you could have found this without trying to construct the triangle.
Can we say anything about the existence of a triangle for each of the following sets of lengths?
(a) , and
(b) , and
(c) , and
Which of the following lengths can be the sidelengths of a triangle? Explain your answers. Note that for each set, the three lengths have the same unit of measure.
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g)
Check if a triangle exists for each of the following set of lengths:
(a) 1, 100, 100
(b) 3, 6, 9
(c) 1, 1, 5
(d) 5, 10, 12
Does there exist an equilateral triangle with sides 50, 50, 50? In general, does there exist an equilateral triangle of any sidelength? Justify your answer.
For each of the following, give at least 5 possible values for the third length so there exists a triangle having these as sidelengths (decimal values could also be chosen):
(a) ,
(b) ,
(c) ,
See if you can describe all possible lengths of the third side in each case, so that a triangle exists with those sidelengths. For example, in case (a), all numbers strictly between and would be possible.
Construct triangles for the following measurements where the angle is included between the sides:
(a) , ,
(b) , ,
(c) , ,
Construct triangles for the following measurements:
(a) , ,
(b) , ,
(c) , ,
For each of the following angles, find another angle for which a triangle is (a) possible, (b) not possible. Find at least two different angles for each category:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Determine which of the following pairs can be the angles of a triangle and which cannot:
(a) ,
(b) ,
(c) ,
(d) ,
Find the third angle of a triangle (using a parallel line) when two of the angles are:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Can you construct a triangle all of whose angles are equal to ? If two of the angles are what would the third angle be? If all the angles in a triangle have to be equal, then what must its measure be? Explore and find out.
Here is a triangle in which we know and . Can you find and ?
Construct a triangle with , , . Construct an altitude from to .
Construct a triangle with , , . Construct an altitude from to .
Construct a right-angled triangle with , . How many different triangles exist with these measurements?
[Hint: Note that the other measurements can take any values. Take as the base. What values can and take so that the other angle is ?]
Through construction, explore if it is possible to construct an equilateral triangle that is: (i) right-angled (ii) obtuse-angled.
Also construct an isosceles triangle that is: (i) right-angled (ii) obtuse-angled.