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| − | A triangle is a three-sided figure. In geometry, each side of a triangle is perfectly straight. | + | [[Image:Triangle.png|right]] |
| | + | A '''triangle''' is a three-sided [[geometric]] [[shape]]. |
| | + | In [[Euclidean geometry]], each side of a triangle is perfectly straight, and the sum of the internal angles of a triangle is always 180º. |
| | + | A triangle is defined by any three points that are not [[collinear]]. |
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| − | The sum of the internal angles of a triangle is always 180<sup>o</sup>.
| + | In political ideology, a triangle symbolizes change as the [[Greek]] delta symbol. Usually demands for change are to move towards [[socialism]] and away from the [[U.S. Constitution]] and principles of a [[constitutional republic]]. |
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| − | A [[right triangle]] has one 90<sup>o</sup> angle. Right triangles have special properties (see [[trigonometry]]).
| + | ==Naming conventions== |
| | + | Usually, the vertices of a triangle are counter-clockwise denoted by big Latin letters, while small Latin letters are used for the sides: Each side will have the same letter as the opposite vertex. |
| | + | The angles are denoted by Greek letters, if possible, the letter of an angle will correspond to the letter of the adjacent vertex. |
| | + | Often, the sides will be referenced by the adjacent vertices: in the triangle on top of this page, we have <math>a = \overline{BC} = \overline{CB}, b = \overline{CA} = \overline{CA}, c = \overline{BA} = \overline{AB} </math>. |
| | + | Similarly, the angles are denoted as <math>\alpha = \angle CAB, \beta = \angle ABC, \gamma = \angle BCA</math>. |
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| − | See: [[polygon]] | + | |
| | + | ==Types of triangles== |
| | + | A [[right triangle]] has one 90º angle. Right triangles have special properties (see [[trigonometry]]). |
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| | + | An [[isosceles triangle]] has two equal angles, and two equal sides. |
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| | + | An [[equilateral triangle]] has three equal sides, and three 60º angles. |
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| | + | If a triangle is not one of the above, it is a '''scalene triangle''' -- that is, a triangle with no [[congruent]] angles. |
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| | + | An '''obtuse triangle''' has one angle that measures more than 90<sup>o</sup>. |
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| | + | {| class="wikitable" |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |<!--col1-->[[Image:Right-triangle.png|150px]] |
| | + | |<!--col2-->[[Image:Isoscles-triangle.png|150px]] |
| | + | |<!--col3-->[[Image:Equilateral-triangle.png|150px]] |
| | + | |<!--col4-->[[Image:Obtuse-triangle.png|150px]] |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |<!--col1-->Right Triangle |
| | + | |<!--col2-->Isosceles Triangle |
| | + | |<!--col3-->Equilateral Triangle |
| | + | |<!--col4-->Obtuse Triangle |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |<!--col1--><math>\angle CBA =90^\circ = \pi/2</math> |
| | + | |<!--col2--><math>\angle BCA = \angle CAB </math> |
| | + | |<!--col3--><math>\angle ABC = \angle BCA = \angle CAB</math> |
| | + | |<!--col4--><math>\angle ACB > 90^\circ</math> |
| | + | |}<!--end wikitable--> |
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| | + | ==Congruence of triangles== |
| | + | Triangles can be proven [[congruent]] in the following ways: |
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| | + | '''Side-Angle-Side (SAS)''': If two sides are equal and the included angle is equal to another triangle, then the triangles are congruent.<br> |
| | + | '''Side-Side-Side (SSS)''': If three sides of one triangle are equal to three sides of another triangle, then the triangles are congruent.<br> |
| | + | '''Angle-Side-Angle (ASA)''': If two angles and the included side of one triangle are equal the ones of another triangle, then the triangles are congruent.<br> |
| | + | '''Angle-Angle-Side (AAS)''': If two angles and a side that is not included are equal to the ones of another triangle, then the triangles are congruent.<br> |
| | + | The SSA (Side-Side-Angle) cannot prove triangles congruent unless it is a right angle, where it is known as the HL (Hypotenuse-Leg) Theorem. AAA (Angle-Angle-Angle) cannot prove triangles congruent either. In [[hyperbolic geometry]], however, it does prove congruence. |
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| | + | ==See also== |
| | + | *[[polygon]] |
| | + | *[[Pascal's triangle]] |
| | + | *[[Sierpinski triangle]] |
| | + | *[[Bermuda Triangle]] |
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| | [[Category:Geometry]] | | [[Category:Geometry]] |