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 angle sum property states that the sum of angles in any triangle is always .
- An equilateral triangle has all three sides equal and all three angles equal ( each).
- An isosceles triangle has two equal sides and two equal angles.
- A right-angled triangle has one angle equal to , while an obtuse-angled triangle has one angle greater than .
(i) Explore if it is possible to construct an equilateral triangle that is right-angled.
Step 1 · Calculate Angles of an Equilateral Triangle
Let each angle of an equilateral triangle be .
By angle sum property of a triangle
A right-angled triangle must have one angle equal to . Since every angle of an equilateral triangle is strictly , an equilateral triangle cannot be right-angled.
(i) Not possible (an equilateral triangle cannot be right-angled).
(ii) Explore if it is possible to construct an equilateral triangle that is obtuse-angled.
Step 1 · Check for Obtuse Angle in an Equilateral Triangle
An obtuse-angled triangle requires one angle greater than .
Since every angle of an equilateral triangle is fixed at , no angle can be obtuse. Therefore, an equilateral triangle cannot be obtuse-angled.
(ii) Not possible (an equilateral triangle cannot be obtuse-angled).
(iii) Construct an isosceles triangle that is right-angled.
Step 1 · Find Angles and Steps of Construction
Let the right angle be and the two equal angles be .
An isosceles triangle with angles is possible.
Steps of Construction:
- Draw a line segment .
- At point , draw a perpendicular line making a angle with .
- Mark point on this perpendicular line such that .
- Join points and to obtain the isosceles right-angled triangle .
(iii) Possible (with angles ).
(iv) Construct an isosceles triangle that is obtuse-angled.
Step 1 · Find Angles and Steps of Construction
- Case 1 (Equal angles are obtuse): If , then , which violates the angle sum property.
- Case 2 (Vertex angle is obtuse): Let the vertex angle be and the two equal angles be :
An isosceles triangle with angles is possible.
Steps of Construction:
- Draw a line segment .
- At point , draw a ray making an obtuse angle (e.g. ).
- Mark point on the ray such that .
- Join points and to obtain the isosceles obtuse-angled triangle .
(iv) Possible (for example, with angles ).
- Assuming Equilateral Angles Can Vary: All angles in an equilateral triangle are strictly fixed at , so it can never have a or obtuse angle.
- Making Equal Angles Obtuse in an Isosceles Triangle: An isosceles triangle cannot have two obtuse angles since their sum would exceed . Only the non-equal vertex angle can be obtuse.
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.