Triangle Side Analysis: Is DC a Side of Triangle ABD?

Triangle Components with Side Identification

True or false:

DC is a side of triangle ABD.

AAABBBCCCDDD

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Determine whether DC is a side in the given triangle ABD
00:03 Identify the sides of triangle ABD
00:07 Mark the side with the two letters at the beginning/end of the line
00:11 These are the sides of triangle ABD
00:16 Therefore, we can observe that DC is not part of triangle ABD
00:19 This is the solution

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

True or false:

DC is a side of triangle ABD.

AAABBBCCCDDD

2

Step-by-step solution

The problem asks if line segment DC is a side of triangle ABD.

In triangle geometry, the sides of a triangle are the segments connecting its vertices. Here, the triangle ABD is formed by vertices A, B, and D.

Upon observing the diagram:

  • The vertices of triangle ABD are A, B, and D.
  • The sides of triangle ABD are AB, BD, and AD.
  • The segment DC connects points D and C, which are not both vertices of triangle ABD.

Therefore, line segment DC is not a side of triangle ABD.

The statement "DC is a side of triangle ABD" is False.

3

Final Answer

False

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Definition: Triangle sides connect the triangle's three vertices only
  • Method: List vertices A, B, D then identify sides AB, BD, AD
  • Check: Verify DC connects D to C, not both ABD vertices ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Assuming any segment in the diagram is a triangle side
    Don't think every line segment shown belongs to the triangle = wrong identification! Only segments connecting the triangle's specific vertices are its sides. Always identify the triangle's three vertices first, then find only the segments connecting those exact points.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Is the straight line in the figure the height of the triangle?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

How do I know which segments are the sides of triangle ABD?

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A triangle's sides are the three segments connecting its vertices. For triangle ABD, the vertices are A, B, and D. So the sides are: AB, BD, and AD.

Why isn't DC a side of triangle ABD if it's in the diagram?

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Just because a segment appears in the diagram doesn't make it part of triangle ABD! DC connects points D and C, but C is not a vertex of triangle ABD. Only segments between the triangle's actual vertices count as sides.

What's the difference between a side and any line segment?

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A side is specifically a segment connecting two vertices of the same triangle. A line segment is any straight line between two points. DC is a line segment, but not a side of triangle ABD.

How can I avoid confusing segments with triangle sides?

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Always start by identifying the triangle's name. Triangle ABD has vertices A, B, and D. Then list only the segments connecting these three points: AB, BD, and AD. Ignore any other segments in the diagram!

Could DC be a side of a different triangle?

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Yes! DC could be a side of triangle ACD or triangle BCD if those triangles exist in the diagram. But the question specifically asks about triangle ABD only.

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