Triangle Height Practice Problems & Solutions - Free Worksheets

Master triangle height calculations with step-by-step practice problems. Learn to find altitudes in right, isosceles, and scalene triangles using geometric principles.

📚Master Triangle Height Calculations Through Interactive Practice
  • Calculate triangle heights using the Pythagorean theorem in right triangles
  • Find altitudes that fall inside and outside triangle boundaries
  • Apply height formulas to solve area and perimeter problems
  • Work with heights in isosceles triangles and parallelograms
  • Identify perpendicular segments from vertices to opposite sides
  • Solve complex geometry problems involving triangle altitudes

Understanding Triangle Height

Complete explanation with examples

Set the Height of a Triangle

The height of a triangle is the segment that connects a vertex to the opposite side such that it creates a 90-degree angle.

In every triangle, there are three heights, as there are three vertices from which the height can be calculated relative to the side that is opposite to each of them.

The height can be found either inside or outside of the triangle. If it does not run through the interior of the triangle, it is called an external height.

Below, we provide you with some examples of triangle heights:

A1 - triangle height

Detailed explanation

Practice Triangle Height

Test your knowledge with 36 quizzes

Given the following triangle:

Write down the height of the triangle ABC.

AAABBBCCCDDD

Examples with solutions for Triangle Height

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

True or false:

DE not a side in any of the triangles.
AAABBBCCCDDDEEE

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem of determining whether DE is not a side in any of the triangles, we will methodically identify the triangles present in the diagram and examine their sides:

  • Identify triangles in the diagram. The diagram presented forms a right-angled triangle ABC with additional lines forming smaller triangles within.
  • Triangles formed: Triangle ABC (major triangle), Triangle ABD, Triangle BEC, and Triangle DBE.
  • Let's examine the sides of these triangles:
    • Triangle ABC has sides AB, BC, and CA.
    • Triangle ABD has sides AB, BD, and DA.
    • Triangle BEC has sides BE, EC, and CB.
    • Triangle DBE has sides DB, BE, and ED.
  • Notice that while point D is used, the segment DE is only part of line BE and isn't listed as a direct side of any triangle.

Therefore, the claim that DE is not a side in any of the triangles is indeed correct.

Hence, the answer is True.

Answer:

True

Video Solution
Exercise #2

Is DE side in one of the triangles?
AAABBBCCCDDDEEE

Step-by-Step Solution

Since line segment DE does not correspond to a full side of any of the triangles present within the given geometry, we conclude that the statement “DE is a side in one of the triangles” is Not true.

Answer:

Not true

Video Solution
Exercise #3

True or false:

AB is a side of the triangle ABC.

AAABBBCCC

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, let's clarify the role of AB in the context of triangle ABC by analyzing its diagram:

  • Step 1: Identify the vertices of the triangle. According to the diagram, the vertices of the triangle are points labeled A, B, and C.
  • Step 2: Determine the sides of the triangle. In any triangle, the sides are the segments connecting pairs of distinct vertices.
  • Step 3: Identify AB as a line segment connecting vertex A and vertex B, labeled directly in the diagram.

Considering these steps, line segment AB connects vertex A with vertex B, and hence, forms one of the sides of the triangle ABC. Therefore, AB is indeed a side of triangle ABC as shown in the diagram.

The conclusion here is solidly supported by our observation of the given triangle. Thus, the statement that AB is a side of the triangle ABC is True.

Answer:

True

Video Solution
Exercise #4

True or false:

AD is a side of triangle ABC.

AAABBBCCC

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine if line segment AD is a side of triangle ABC, we need to agree on the definition of a triangle's side. A triangle consists of three sides, each connecting pairs of its vertices. In triangle ABC, these sides are AB, BC, and CA. Each side is composed of a direct line segment connecting the listed vertices.

In the diagram provided, there is no indication of a point D connected to point A or any other vertex of triangle ABC. To claim AD as a side, D would need to be one of the vertices B or C, or a commonly recognized point forming part of the triangle’s defined structure. The provided figure and description do not support that AD exists within the given triangle framework, as no point D is defined within or connecting any existing vertices.

Therefore, according to the problem's context and based on the definition of the sides of a triangle, AD cannot be considered a side of triangle ABC. It follows that the statement "AD is a side of triangle ABC" should be deemed not true.

Answer:

Not true

Video Solution
Exercise #5

True or false:

BC is a side of triangle ABC.

AAABBBCCC

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we must determine whether BC is indeed a side of triangle ABC. A triangle consists of three vertices connected by three line segments that form its sides.

Firstly, observe the triangle labeled in the diagram with vertices A, B, and C. For triangle ABC, the sides are composed of the segments that connect these points.

  • The three line segments connecting the vertices are:
    • AB AB , connecting points A and B;
    • BC BC , connecting points B and C; and
    • CA CA , connecting points C and A.

Among these, BC is clearly listed as one of the segments connecting two vertices of the triangle. Therefore, BC is indeed a side of triangle ABC.

Hence, the statement is True.

Answer:

True

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the height of a triangle and how do you find it?

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The height of a triangle is a perpendicular segment drawn from any vertex to the opposite side, forming a 90-degree angle. To find it, you can use the Pythagorean theorem in right triangles or area formulas where height = (2 × Area) ÷ base length.

Can a triangle height be outside the triangle?

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Yes, triangle heights can be external when the triangle is obtuse. In obtuse triangles, the altitude from the obtuse angle vertex falls outside the triangle, extending beyond the opposite side to maintain the perpendicular relationship.

How many heights does every triangle have?

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Every triangle has exactly three heights, one from each vertex to its opposite side. These three altitudes always intersect at a single point called the orthocenter, regardless of the triangle type.

What's the difference between triangle height and side length?

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Triangle height is always perpendicular to a side and may not be one of the triangle's three sides. Side lengths are the actual edges of the triangle, while heights are auxiliary lines used for calculations like finding area.

How do you calculate triangle area using height?

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The triangle area formula is: Area = (1/2) × base × height. Choose any side as the base, then use the corresponding height (perpendicular distance from the opposite vertex to that base) to calculate the area.

Why do isosceles triangles have special height properties?

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In isosceles triangles, the height from the vertex angle to the base bisects both the vertex angle and the base. This creates two congruent right triangles, making calculations easier and creating symmetrical properties.

What are common mistakes when finding triangle heights?

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Common errors include: 1) Confusing height with side length, 2) Not ensuring the height is perpendicular, 3) Measuring to the wrong side, 4) Forgetting that heights can be external in obtuse triangles.

How does the Pythagorean theorem help find triangle heights?

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When a triangle height creates a right triangle, you can use a² + b² = c² to find the missing height. The height becomes one leg, part of the base becomes the other leg, and the triangle's side becomes the hypotenuse.

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