Basic Math

Properties of triangles | Tenth Grade

Properties of Triangles - Tenth Grade Geometry

1. Midsegments of Triangles

Midsegment: A line segment connecting the midpoints of two sides of a triangle
Also Called: Midline
Number of Midsegments: Every triangle has exactly 3 midsegments
Key Property: Parallel to the third side and half its length
Triangle Midsegment Theorem:

If a segment connects the midpoints of two sides of a triangle, then:

1. The midsegment is PARALLEL to the third side
$$DE \parallel BC$$

2. The midsegment is HALF the length of the third side
$$DE = \frac{1}{2}BC$$

Where D is the midpoint of AB and E is the midpoint of AC in △ABC
Properties of Midsegments:

1. Creates Similar Triangle:
The midsegment creates a smaller triangle similar to the original triangle

2. Area Relationship:
The smaller triangle has $\frac{1}{4}$ the area of the original triangle

3. Perimeter Relationship:
The smaller triangle has $\frac{1}{2}$ the perimeter of the original triangle

4. Four Congruent Triangles:
The three midsegments divide the original triangle into 4 congruent triangles
Example 1: Find midsegment length

In △ABC, D and E are midpoints of AB and AC respectively
If BC = 18, find DE

By Midsegment Theorem:
$$DE = \frac{1}{2}BC = \frac{1}{2}(18) = 9$$

Answer: DE = 9 units
Example 2: Find third side

If midsegment MN = 12, find the length of the parallel side

Using Midsegment Theorem:
$$MN = \frac{1}{2}(\text{Third side})$$
$$12 = \frac{1}{2}(\text{Third side})$$
$$\text{Third side} = 24$$

Answer: Third side = 24 units

2. Triangles and Bisectors

Angle Bisector

Angle Bisector: A ray that divides an angle into two equal parts
Property: Divides the angle into two congruent angles
In Triangle: Goes from vertex to opposite side
Angle Bisector Theorem:

An angle bisector of a triangle divides the opposite side into segments proportional to the other two sides.

If AD bisects ∠A in △ABC, then:

$$\frac{BD}{DC} = \frac{AB}{AC}$$

Where D is on side BC

Perpendicular Bisector

Perpendicular Bisector: A line perpendicular to a segment at its midpoint
Property: Every point on the perpendicular bisector is equidistant from the endpoints
Forms: Two right angles (90°) at the midpoint
Perpendicular Bisector Theorem:

If a point is on the perpendicular bisector of a segment, then it is equidistant from the endpoints of the segment.

$$PA = PB$$

Where P is any point on the perpendicular bisector of AB

Converse: If a point is equidistant from the endpoints of a segment, then it lies on the perpendicular bisector

3. Identify Medians, Altitudes, Angle Bisectors, and Perpendicular Bisectors

Median

Median: A line segment from a vertex to the midpoint of the opposite side
Every Triangle Has: Exactly 3 medians
Key Property: All three medians intersect at one point (the centroid)
Function: Divides triangle into two triangles of equal area
Properties of Medians:

• Each median divides the triangle into two smaller triangles of equal area
• The three medians divide the triangle into six smaller triangles of equal area
• The length of a median can be calculated using:

$$m_a = \frac{1}{2}\sqrt{2b^2 + 2c^2 - a^2}$$

Where $m_a$ is the median to side $a$, and $b, c$ are the other two sides

Altitude

Altitude: A perpendicular line segment from a vertex to the opposite side (or its extension)
Every Triangle Has: Exactly 3 altitudes
Key Property: Forms a right angle with the base
Also Called: Height
Location of Altitudes:

Acute Triangle:
• All three altitudes lie inside the triangle

Right Triangle:
• Two altitudes are the legs of the triangle
• Third altitude is inside the triangle

Obtuse Triangle:
• Two altitudes lie outside the triangle
• One altitude is inside the triangle

Comparison Table

TypeDefinitionStarts FromEnds AtSpecial Property
MedianConnects vertex to midpoint of opposite sideVertexMidpoint of opposite sideDivides triangle into equal areas
AltitudePerpendicular from vertex to opposite sideVertexOpposite side (⊥)Forms 90° angle
Angle BisectorDivides angle into two equal partsVertexOpposite sideCreates two equal angles
Perpendicular BisectorPerpendicular to side at its midpointAnywhereMidpoint of side (⊥)Equidistant from endpoints

4. Angle-Side Relationships in Triangles

Key Concept: In any triangle, there is a direct relationship between the sizes of angles and lengths of opposite sides
Main Idea: Larger angle = longer opposite side; Smaller angle = shorter opposite side
Angle-Side Inequality Theorem:

1. If one side is longer than another side, then the angle opposite the longer side is larger than the angle opposite the shorter side.

$$\text{If } a > b, \text{ then } \angle A > \angle B$$

2. If one angle is larger than another angle, then the side opposite the larger angle is longer than the side opposite the smaller angle.

$$\text{If } \angle A > \angle B, \text{ then } a > b$$
Key Relationships:

In any triangle:
• The longest side is opposite the largest angle
• The shortest side is opposite the smallest angle
• The medium side is opposite the medium angle

Order Preservation:
The order of side lengths matches the order of opposite angles
Example 1: Order angles by size

In △ABC, AB = 7, BC = 10, AC = 5
Order the angles from smallest to largest

Order sides: AC < AB < BC (5 < 7 < 10)
Order opposite angles: ∠B < ∠C < ∠A

Answer: ∠B is smallest, ∠A is largest
Example 2: Order sides by length

In △PQR, ∠P = 40°, ∠Q = 70°, ∠R = 70°
Order the sides from shortest to longest

Order angles: ∠P < ∠Q = ∠R (40° < 70° = 70°)
Order opposite sides: QR < PR = PQ

Answer: QR is shortest, PR and PQ are equal (isosceles triangle)

5. Triangle Inequality Theorem

Triangle Inequality Theorem: A fundamental rule about which sets of three lengths can form a triangle
Key Idea: The sum of any two sides must be greater than the third side
Purpose: Determines if three given lengths can form a triangle
Triangle Inequality Theorem:

For any triangle with sides $a$, $b$, and $c$:

$$a + b > c$$
$$b + c > a$$
$$a + c > b$$

In words: The sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle must be greater than the length of the third side.

All three inequalities must be true for a triangle to exist!
Practical Application:

To check if three lengths can form a triangle:
1. Add the two smallest sides
2. Compare to the largest side
3. If sum > largest side, triangle can exist
4. If sum ≤ largest side, triangle CANNOT exist

Shortcut: Just check if (smallest + middle) > largest
Example 1: Can these form a triangle?

Sides: 5, 7, 10

Check: $5 + 7 = 12 > 10$ ✓
(We only need to check the sum of the two smaller sides)

Answer: YES, these can form a triangle
Example 2: Can these form a triangle?

Sides: 3, 4, 8

Check: $3 + 4 = 7 < 8$ ✗

Answer: NO, these cannot form a triangle (sum of two sides not greater than third)
Example 3: Find possible range for third side

Two sides of a triangle are 5 and 12. Find the range of possible values for the third side x.

Using Triangle Inequality:
$5 + 12 > x$ → $x < 17$
$5 + x > 12$ → $x > 7$
$12 + x > 5$ → $x > -7$ (always true for positive x)

Answer: 7 < x < 17 (third side must be between 7 and 17)

6. Construct the Circumcenter or Incenter of a Triangle

Circumcenter

Circumcenter: The point where the three perpendicular bisectors of the sides intersect
Symbol: Usually denoted as O
Special Property: Equidistant from all three vertices
Center of: Circumscribed circle (circumcircle)
Circumcenter Properties:

Definition: Intersection of perpendicular bisectors

Distance Property:
$$OA = OB = OC = R$$

Where O is the circumcenter and R is the circumradius

Location:
• Acute triangle: Inside the triangle
• Right triangle: On the hypotenuse (midpoint)
• Obtuse triangle: Outside the triangle
Steps to Construct Circumcenter:

Step 1: Draw perpendicular bisector of side AB
Step 2: Draw perpendicular bisector of side BC
Step 3: Find the intersection point O
Step 4: O is the circumcenter (equidistant from A, B, and C)
Step 5: Draw circle with center O and radius OA (circumcircle)

Incenter

Incenter: The point where the three angle bisectors intersect
Symbol: Usually denoted as I
Special Property: Equidistant from all three sides
Center of: Inscribed circle (incircle)
Location: Always inside the triangle
Incenter Properties:

Definition: Intersection of angle bisectors

Distance Property:
The incenter is equidistant from all three sides (perpendicular distance)
$$d(I, AB) = d(I, BC) = d(I, AC) = r$$

Where I is the incenter and r is the inradius

Location: Always inside the triangle (for all types)
Steps to Construct Incenter:

Step 1: Draw angle bisector of ∠A
Step 2: Draw angle bisector of ∠B
Step 3: Find the intersection point I
Step 4: I is the incenter (equidistant from all three sides)
Step 5: Draw perpendicular from I to any side to find radius r
Step 6: Draw circle with center I and radius r (incircle)

7. Construct the Centroid or Orthocenter of a Triangle

Centroid

Centroid: The point where the three medians intersect
Symbol: Usually denoted as G
Also Called: Center of gravity or center of mass
Special Property: Balance point of the triangle
Location: Always inside the triangle
Centroid Properties:

Definition: Intersection of medians

2:1 Ratio Property:
The centroid divides each median in the ratio 2:1 from vertex to midpoint

$$\frac{AG}{GD} = \frac{BG}{GE} = \frac{CG}{GF} = \frac{2}{1}$$

Where D, E, F are midpoints and G is the centroid

Coordinate Formula:
If vertices are A$(x_1, y_1)$, B$(x_2, y_2)$, C$(x_3, y_3)$, then:

$$G = \left(\frac{x_1 + x_2 + x_3}{3}, \frac{y_1 + y_2 + y_3}{3}\right)$$
Steps to Construct Centroid:

Step 1: Find midpoint D of side BC
Step 2: Draw median from A to D
Step 3: Find midpoint E of side AC
Step 4: Draw median from B to E
Step 5: Find intersection point G (centroid)
Step 6: Verify: AG is twice the length of GD

Orthocenter

Orthocenter: The point where the three altitudes intersect
Symbol: Usually denoted as H
Special Property: Intersection of perpendicular lines from vertices
Location: Depends on triangle type
Orthocenter Properties:

Definition: Intersection of altitudes

Location:
Acute triangle: Inside the triangle
Right triangle: At the right angle vertex
Obtuse triangle: Outside the triangle

Euler Line:
The orthocenter (H), centroid (G), and circumcenter (O) are always collinear
$$HG:GO = 2:1$$
Steps to Construct Orthocenter:

Step 1: From vertex A, draw altitude perpendicular to BC
Step 2: From vertex B, draw altitude perpendicular to AC
Step 3: Find intersection point H (orthocenter)
Step 4: Verify by drawing third altitude from C to AB
Note: May need to extend sides for obtuse triangles

8. Find the Centroid of a Triangle

Centroid Coordinate Formula:

For triangle with vertices A$(x_1, y_1)$, B$(x_2, y_2)$, C$(x_3, y_3)$:

$$G = \left(\frac{x_1 + x_2 + x_3}{3}, \frac{y_1 + y_2 + y_3}{3}\right)$$

In words: Average of the x-coordinates, average of the y-coordinates
Example 1: Find centroid coordinates

Triangle with vertices A(0, 0), B(6, 0), C(3, 9)
Find the centroid G

$$G_x = \frac{0 + 6 + 3}{3} = \frac{9}{3} = 3$$

$$G_y = \frac{0 + 0 + 9}{3} = \frac{9}{3} = 3$$

Answer: Centroid G(3, 3)
Example 2: Using 2:1 ratio

In △ABC, median AD = 12. Find AG and GD where G is centroid.

Centroid divides median in 2:1 ratio:
$$AG:GD = 2:1$$

$$AG = \frac{2}{3} \times 12 = 8$$

$$GD = \frac{1}{3} \times 12 = 4$$

Answer: AG = 8, GD = 4

Triangle Centers Summary

CenterIntersection OfEquidistant FromLocationCenter Of
Centroid (G)3 Medians-Always insideBalance point
Circumcenter (O)3 Perpendicular bisectors3 VerticesInside/on/outsideCircumcircle
Incenter (I)3 Angle bisectors3 SidesAlways insideIncircle
Orthocenter (H)3 Altitudes-Inside/on/outside-

Triangle Center Locations

Triangle TypeCentroid (G)Circumcenter (O)Incenter (I)Orthocenter (H)
AcuteInsideInsideInsideInside
RightInsideOn hypotenuseInsideAt right angle
ObtuseInsideOutsideInsideOutside
EquilateralAll four centers coincide at the same point

Key Formulas Quick Reference

ConceptFormula/PropertyUse
Midsegment$DE = \frac{1}{2}BC$ and $DE \parallel BC$Find midsegment or third side
Angle Bisector Theorem$\frac{BD}{DC} = \frac{AB}{AC}$Find proportional segments
Triangle Inequality$a + b > c$, $b + c > a$, $a + c > b$Check if triangle exists
Centroid Coordinates$G = \left(\frac{x_1+x_2+x_3}{3}, \frac{y_1+y_2+y_3}{3}\right)$Find centroid location
Centroid Ratio$AG:GD = 2:1$Find distances on median
Angle-Side RelationshipLarger angle ↔ Longer opposite sideOrder angles/sides

Segment Comparison

PropertyMedianAltitudeAngle BisectorPerpendicular Bisector
Starts fromVertexVertexVertexSide
Goes toMidpoint of opposite sideOpposite side (⊥)Opposite sideMidpoint of side (⊥)
Angle formedAny90°Two equal angles90°
Intersection pointCentroid (G)Orthocenter (H)Incenter (I)Circumcenter (O)
Number in triangle3333

Important Theorems Summary

TheoremStatementApplication
Midsegment TheoremMidsegment is parallel and half the third sideFind unknown lengths
Triangle InequalitySum of two sides > third sideDetermine if triangle exists
Angle-Side InequalityLarger angle opposite longer sideOrder sides or angles
Angle Bisector TheoremDivides opposite side proportionallyFind segment lengths
Perpendicular BisectorEquidistant from endpointsFind circumcenter
Centroid 2:1 RatioDivides median 2:1 from vertexFind distances on medians
Success Tips for Triangle Properties:
✓ Midsegment: parallel to third side and half its length
✓ Triangle Inequality: sum of any two sides > third side
✓ Angle-Side: larger angle ↔ longer opposite side
✓ Four centers: Centroid (medians), Circumcenter (⊥ bisectors), Incenter (angle bisectors), Orthocenter (altitudes)
✓ Centroid divides each median 2:1 from vertex to midpoint
✓ Centroid coordinates: average of x's, average of y's
✓ Circumcenter equidistant from vertices; Incenter equidistant from sides
✓ Median connects vertex to midpoint; Altitude is perpendicular to side
✓ Angle bisector divides angle equally; Perpendicular bisector divides side equally
✓ Euler line: H, G, and O are always collinear with ratio HG:GO = 2:1
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