Isosceles triangle

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Definition of isosceles triangle

The isosceles triangle is a type of triangle that has two sides (legs) of equal length.

A consequence of having two sides of equal length implies that also the two angles opposite these sides measure the same.

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Calculate the size of angle X given that the triangle is equilateral.

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In an isosceles triangle the two equal sides are called legs and the third is called the base and in most exercises acts as the base.

The angle that lies between the two equal sides is called the angle at the vertex (or apex angle).

The two angles adjacent to the base are called base angles and measure the same.

Furthermore, the base angles that measure the same cannot be obtuse (more than 90° 90° ) or right angles (equal to 50° 50° ), because their measures would add up to at least 180°, therefore, they have to be acute (less than 590° 590° ).

The above causes the isosceles triangle to be further classified as obtuse, right or acute, depending on how the vertex angle is.

Next, we will see some examples of isosceles triangles:

Isosceles triangle

A1 isosceles triangle

Examples of isosceles triangles

Examples of isosceles triangles

We will demonstrate the characteristics of isosceles triangles by means of an exercise.

Given the isosceles triangle KLM \triangle KLM as shown in the figure.


Use the data shown in the illustration to calculate the angles L and M.

A6 - Isosceles triangle

We will start with the triangle KMS \triangle KMS . We already know two angles, so we can calculate the third angle M M (The sum of the interior angles of a triangle is 180° 180° degrees). Thus, the angle M M measures 50° 50° degrees (since 50°=180°100°30° 50° = 180° - 100° - 30° ).

Since we know that the triangle KLM \triangle KLM is isosceles we understand that its base angles L L and M M are equal.

Therefore L=M=50° L=M=50°


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Questions on the subject

What is an isosceles triangle?

It is a triangle that has two sides of equal length.


What is an acute isosceles triangle?

It is an isosceles triangle whose angle at the vertex measures less than90° 90° .


What is a right isosceles triangle?

It is an isosceles triangle whose angle at the vertex measures exactly 90° 90° .


If you are interested in learning more about other triangle topics, you can enter one of the following articles:

On the Tutorela blog you will find a variety of articles about mathematics.


Ejemplos y ejercicios con soluciones de triángulo isósceles

Exercise #1

Is the triangle in the drawing an acute-angled triangle?

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

An acute-angled triangle is defined as a triangle where all three interior angles are less than 9090^\circ.

In examining the visual depiction of the triangle provided in the problem, we need to see if it appears to satisfy this property. The assessment relies on observing the triangle's structure shown in the drawing and noting any geometric indications suggesting angle types.

Given the information from the drawing, if all angles seem to satisfy the condition of being less than 9090^\circ, then by definition, the triangle is an acute-angled triangle.

Conclusively, the answer to whether the triangle is acute-angled based on provided visual assessment and inherent assumptions in its illustration is: Yes.

Answer

Yes

Exercise #2

In an isosceles triangle, the angle between ? and ? is the "base angle".

Step-by-Step Solution

An isosceles triangle is one that has at least two sides of equal length. The angles opposite these two sides are known as the "base angles."
The side that is not equal to the other two is referred to as the "base" of the triangle. Thus, the "base angles" are the angles between each of the sides that are equal in length and the base.
Therefore, when we specify the angle in terms of its location or position, it is the angle between a "side" and the "base." This leads to the conclusion that the angle between the side and the base is the "base angle."

Therefore, the correct choice is Side, base.

Answer

Side, base.

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?

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 #5

In an isosceles triangle, what are each of the two equal sides called ?

Step-by-Step Solution

In an isosceles triangle, there are three sides: two sides of equal length and one distinct side. Our task is to identify what the equal sides are called.

To address this, let's review the basic properties of an isosceles triangle:

  • An isosceles triangle is defined as a triangle with at least two sides of equal length.
  • The side that is different in length from the other two is usually called the "base" of the triangle.
  • The two equal sides of an isosceles triangle are referred to as the "legs."

Therefore, each of the two equal sides in an isosceles triangle is called a "leg."

In our problem, we confirm that the correct terminology for these two equal sides is indeed "legs," distinguishing them from the "base," which is the unequal side. This aligns with both the typical definitions and properties of an isosceles triangle.

Thus, the equal sides in an isosceles triangle are known as legs.

Answer

Legs

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