Identification of an Isosceles Triangle

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When we have a triangle, we can identify that it is an isosceles if at least one of the following conditions is met:

1) If the triangle has two equal angles - The triangle is isosceles.
2) If in the triangle the height also bisects the angle of the vertex - The triangle is isosceles.
3) If in the triangle the height is also the median - The triangle is isosceles.
4) If in the triangle the median is also the bisector - The triangle is isosceles.

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Identification of an Isosceles Triangle

Before we talk about how to identify an isosceles triangle, let's remember that it is a triangle with two sides (or edges) of the same length - This means that the base angles are also equal.
Moreover, in an isosceles triangle, the median of the base, the bisector, and the height are the same, that is, they coincide.

Let's see it illustrated

A - Identification of an isosceles triangle

These magnificent properties of the isosceles triangle cannot prove by themselves that it is an isosceles triangle.
So, how can we prove that our triangle is isosceles?

If at least one of the following conditions is met:
1) If our triangle has two equal angles - The triangle is isosceles.
This derives from the fact that the sides opposite to equal angles are also equal, therefore, if the angles are equal, the sides are too.

2) If in the triangle the height also bisects the vertex angle - The triangle is isosceles.
3) If in the triangle the height is also the median - The triangle is isosceles.
4) If in the triangle the median is also the angle bisector - The triangle is isosceles.
In fact, we can summarize guidelines 2 2 and 4 4 and write a single condition:
If two of these coincide - the median, the height, and the bisector - The triangle is isosceles.

Great, now you know how to identify isosceles triangles easily and quickly.


Examples and exercises with solutions for identifying an isosceles triangle

Exercise #1

Is the triangle in the drawing a right triangle?

Step-by-Step Solution

Due to the presence of the 90 degree angle symbol we can determine that this is indeed a right-angled triangle.

Answer

Yes

Exercise #2

In a right triangle, the sum of the two non-right angles is...?

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

In a right-angled triangle, there is one angle that equals 90 degrees, and the other two angles sum up to 180 degrees (sum of angles in a triangle)

Therefore, the sum of the two non-right angles is 90 degrees

90+90=180 90+90=180

Answer

90 degrees

Exercise #3

Given the values of the sides of a triangle, is it a triangle with different sides?

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Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

As is known, a scalene triangle is a triangle in which each side has a different length.

According to the given information, this is indeed a triangle where each side has a different length.

Answer

Yes

Exercise #4

Is the triangle in the drawing a right triangle?

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

It can be seen that all angles in the given triangle are less than 90 degrees.

In a right-angled triangle, there needs to be one angle that equals 90 degrees

Since this condition is not met, the triangle is not a right-angled triangle.

Answer

No

Exercise #5

Choose the appropriate triangle according to the following:

Angle B equals 90 degrees.

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's note in which of the triangles angle B forms a right angle, meaning an angle of 90 degrees.

In answers C+D, we can see that angle B is smaller than 90 degrees.

In answer A, it is equal to 90 degrees.

Answer

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