Constructing Triangles

Key concept

Constructing triangles means drawing them accurately with a compass, ruler, and protractor. You measure and copy each given side and angle exactly. Use SSS, SAS, or ASA to match the sides and angles given.

Constructing Triangles - introduction visual

Video Lesson

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Constructing Triangles poster

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Flashcards

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A triangle with vertices A, B, and C, sides a, b, and c, and angles alpha, beta, and gamma. The vertices are labelled anticlockwise.Constructing a triangle ABC with angles 60° and 70°, side c = 6 cm using compass and ruler. The sides and angles are labelled.Constructing a triangle ABC with sides 5 cm and 6 cm, and angle 50°, including labelled diagram.Constructing a triangle ABC with sides a = 7 cm, b = 5 cm, and angle beta = 40°, showing two possible triangles with different angles at vertex C.Constructing triangle ABC with sides 4 cm, 5 cm, and 6 cm using compass and ruler, including labelled angles alpha, beta, and gamma.

Parts of a Triangle Explained

  • The vertices A, B and C are labelled in an anticlockwise direction.
  • Each side a, b and c is opposite its matching angle.

Constructing a Triangle with Two Angles and the Included Side (ASA)

  • The given side is the side between the two known angles.
  • Draw the side first, then measure each angle at the ends so they meet at C.

Constructing a Triangle with Two Sides and the Included Angle (SAS)

  • Draw one side, then use a protractor to draw the angle at one end.
  • Measure the second side along the angle to find point C.

Common Pitfall: Two Possible Triangles

  • With two sides and a non-included angle, there may be two triangles.
  • This is called the ambiguous case and both triangles can be correct.

Constructing a Triangle with Three Sides (SSS)

  • Draw the longest side first to make construction easier.
  • Use a compass to draw arcs from each end that meet at point C.

Practice Questions

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Q1Easy

You are given two sides ( and ) and the angle between them (). Can a unique triangle be constructed?

Two sides of 5 cm and 7 cm meeting at a shaded 40° angle, not drawn to scale
Choose your answer to continue

Interactive Activity

Practice identifying and constructing triangles

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Frequently asked questions

The questions students bump into most on this topic

Start with a sketch, labelling the vertices A, B, C anticlockwise and the sides a, b, c opposite them. Then draw one side, because angles and arcs need a line to start from. Finish with a protractor for any angles you are given and a compass for lengths, depending on whether you know three sides, two sides and an angle, or two angles and a side.

Draw the longest side first and label its ends A and B. Set the compass to side b, put the point on A and draw an arc; set it to side a, put the point on B and draw another. Where the arcs cross is C; join it to A and B. Use the crossing above the line so the vertices run anticlockwise.

The side you are given is the one between the two angles, so draw it first and label its ends A and B. Put the protractor on A and draw the first angle, 60°; put it on B and draw the second, 70°. Extend the two new lines until they cross: that point is C, and the triangle is complete.

Draw one of the given sides, c, and label its ends A and B. With the protractor at B, draw the given angle, 50°, so its arm is a new line from B. Measure the second given side, 5 cm, along that arm to find C. Join C to A. This works whenever the angle is between the two sides you know.

When you know two sides and an angle that is not between them. Draw side a, make the 40° angle at B, then set the compass to side b and draw an arc from C: it can cut the other arm in two places, giving two different positions for A. Both triangles fit the information, so both are correct.

A protractor measures and draws angles in degrees. A compass marks a length along a line or draws an arc to find a vertex at a known distance. Use the protractor whenever an angle is given and the compass whenever only lengths are. A right-angled triangle is the two-sides-and-an-angle case with the angle set to 90°.

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