Classification of Triangles According to Their Angles

For the classification of triangles as acute triangle, right triangle or obtuse

triangle, we make use of Pythagorean Theorem.

1. Acute Triangle

Mark the longest side. In figure 7-61, the longest side is 6. The other two sides are
4 and 5. Now, find the square of the longest side. Here it is 62 which is equal to
36. Find the sum of the squares of the other two sides.

Here it is 42 + 52 = 16 + 25 = 41

We find that 36<41, ∴ ABC in figure 7-61 is an acute triangle. So, we conclude. If
in a triangle, the square of the longest side is less than the sum of the squares of
the two remaining sides, then the triangle is acute triangle.

2. Right Triangle

Mark the longest side in the triangle. Find its square. In figure 7-62, the longest
side is 5, Therefore its square is 52 which is equal to 25. Find the sum of the
squares of the two remaining sides, Here it is 32 + 42 = 9 + 16 = 25 . Now we find
that 25=25. Therefore Triangle ABC is a right triangle. So, we conclude that if in a
triangle, the square of the longest side is equal to the sum of the square of the
two remaining sides, and then the triangle is a right triangle.
3. Obtuse Triangle

Mark the longest side. Find its square. Find the sum of the squares of the other
two sides of the given triangles. Here, the longest side is 6, its square is 62 = 36 .
Sum of the squares of the two other sides is 22 + 32 = 4 + 9 = 13 . Now 36>13.
Therefore Triangle ABC in figure 7-63 is an obtuse triangle.

So, finally we conclude that

If the sides of a triangle are a, b and c . Suppose c is the longest side then if

c 2 < a 2 + b 2 then the triangle is an acute triangle

c 2 = a 2 + b 2 then the triangle is right triangle and if

c 2 > a 2 + b 2 , then the triangle is obtuse triangle.

Special Right Triangles

1. 30o − 60o − 90o Triangles:

In figure 7-64 Triangle ABC is a right triangle in

which ∠A = 30 , ∠B = 60 , ∠C = 90 . On BC, construct ∠BCD = 60o .
o o o
Now
∠BDC = 180o − (60o + 60O )

or ∠BDC = 180o − 120o = 60O

Therefore Triangle DBC is an equilateral triangle

If BC = a , then CD = BD = a

Now, in CDA, ∠A = 30o given

∠DCA = 90o − 60o = 30o

Therefore Triangle CDA is an isosceles triangles

Therefore CD = AD (In an isosceles triangle sides opposite equal angles are

equal)
or CD = a or AD = a

Now AB=AD+DB=a+a

Therefore AB=2BC

So, we conclude that in a 30o − 60o − 90o triangle, the hypotenuse is twice the sides
opposite 30o

From the above figure it is evident that Triangle ABC is half the
equilateralTriangle PQR .

Now in Triangle ABC by Pythagoras theorem, we have

a 2 + b2 = c2

or a 2 + b 2 = (2a) 2 ( Since c = 2a )

or a 2 + b 2 = 4a 2

or b 2 = 4a 2 − a 2 = 3a 2
or b = a 3

Now, if a = 1 unit than c = 2 units and b = 3 units

Therefore a : b : c = 1: 3 : 2

Properties of 30o − 60o − 90o triangle:

1
1. Side opposite 30o angle equals one-half the length of the hypotenuse a = .
2c

2. Side opposite 60o angle equals one-half the length of the hypotenuse times the
3
square root of 3. b = c.
2

3. The length of the leg opposite the 90o angle equals the length of the side
opposite the 30o angle times the square root of 3 b = 3a

4. Length of hypotenuse equals twice the length of side opposite 30o angle.

2. 45o − 45o − 90o triangle:

In Triangle ABC , ∠B = 45o , ∠C = 45o

Therefore Triangle ABC is an isosceles triangle, and in an isosceles triangle side
opposite equal angles are equal. Let BC = a, then AC = a

Now, in Triangle ABC

AC 2 + BC 2 = AB 2 (Pythagoras Theorem)

or a 2 + a 2 = c 2

or 2a 2 = c 2

Length of the hypotenuse = 2× length of the side opposite 30o

= 2 × 5 = 10 cm

Now applying property 3, we have

Length of the side opposite 60o = 3 times length of the side opposite 30o angle

= 3 × 5 = 5 3 cm

How to find the sides of a right triangle when side opposite 60o is given

Here we have to find the other sides in terms of b .

 1
Rule1: a = b 3
3

Side opposite 30o angle is one-third of square root of 3 times the side opposite
60o angle.

Rule 2: The hypotenuse is two-thirds of square root of 3 times the side opposite
60o angle

1
c = 2 3b
3

SOLVED EXAMPLES

1. In a right triangles, the side opposite 60o angle is 9 cm. Find the other sides.

Sol:

Using Rule 1, we have

1 1
The side opposite 30o angle = a = b 3 = × 9 × 3 = 3 3 cm
3 3
 2 2
Using Rule 2, we have the hypotenuse = c = 3b = 3 × 9 = 6 3 cm
3 3

2. In a 30o − 60o − 90o triangle, the side opposite 60o angle is 15 cm. Find the
other two sides. Verify you answer

Sol:

Using Rule 1, we have

1 1
Sum opposite to 30o angle = a = b 3 = ×15 × 3 = 5 3 cm
3 3

or c 2 = 2a 2 and b = a

or c = 2a

Side opposite 45o Side opposite 45o Side opposite 90o

a a 2a

1 1 2

Properties 45o − 45o − 90o Triangle

1
1. Side opposite 45o = times the hypotenuse
2

1 2
= × times the hypotenuse (Rationalizing the denominator)
2 2

2
= times the hypotenuse
2

1
= × 2 × hypotenuse
2

Therefore
Property 1: The length of the side opposite 45o angle equals one-half the length of
the hypotenuse times the square root of 2.
2. Side opposite 45o (Hypotenuse)

c = 2a = 2 × side opposite 45o angle

Therefore
Property 2: The length of the hypotenuse equals the length of a side times the
square root of 2.

SOLVED EXAMPLES

1. The length of the hypotenuse of a 30o − 60o − 90o triangle is 18 cm. Find the
length of its other sides.

Sol:

1
We know that the length of the side opposite 30o = × length of hypotenuse
2

1
= ×18 = 9 cm
2

3 3
Length of the side opposite 60o angle = c= × 18 = 9 3 cm
2 2

2. The length of a side of a 30o − 60o − 90o triangle which is opposite 30o angle is
5 cm. Find the length of its other two sides.

Sol:

By property of the 30o − 60o − 90o triangle, we have

Using Rule 2, we have

1
Hypotenuse of the triangle = × 2 × 3 × 15 = 10 3 cm
3

Verification

According to Pythagoras Theorem

a 2 + b2 = c2

Now, left hand side = a 2 + b 2 = (5 3) 2 + (15)2 = 75 + 225 = 300 … (1)

and right hand side = c 2 = (10 3) 2 = 300 … (2)

From (1) and (2), we find that

LHS=RHS
Hence verified

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