Triangles are such a common shape in our everyday lives, but have you ever noticed how some triangles seem to look more similar than others? Well, ancient mathematicians noticed too, and over the years it has come to be accepted that there are four classifications of triangles.
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Triangle Classifications define triangles by their geometrical properties. These classifications are equilateral, isosceles, right-angled, and scalene.
However, before we start classifying triangles, we must first discuss exactly what these properties are that define the classification of a given triangle.
As discussed previously, triangles are classified by their geometric properties. The two geometric properties by which triangles are classified are the sides' lengths and interior angles.
As can be seen in the diagram below, the interior angles of the triangle are the enclosed angles formed by each pair of the triangle's sides. These angles are denoted by , and (lowercase Greek letters).
It is true of all triangles that their interior angles add up to
Each side of the triangle has a length, denoted by , and The individual lengths of these sides do not determine the triangle's classification, in fact, they can have any length at all. It is in fact the length of the sides compared to each other that is important.
With these two geometric properties, it is possible to put any triangle into one of our four classifications, and in many cases, we only need one or the other!
As previously stated, the four types of triangles are equilateral, isosceles, scalene and right-angled. Each of these is a triangle you will have come across before, but maybe didn't know it! So let's see just what each of them is.
The most simple classification of a triangle is the equilateral triangle. The name here hints at how this type of triangle is defined. Equi is a common prefix arising from the adjective equal, and so words beginning with this prefix often describe things that are equal. For instance, if two shops are equidistant from where you are, it means they are each the same distance away. Equilateral triangles are no different!
An equilateral triangle is a triangle with three sides of equal length. Consequently, the interior angles of an equilateral triangle are also equal to one another.
The triangle below is an equilateral triangle, immediately we can tell this by the single dashes on each side which signify that the sides are of equal length, i.e. . The interior angles of the triangle can also be seen to be equal, with each being, but is this always the case?
An equilateral triangle, characterised by its three equal sides and three equal interior angles, StudySmarter Originals
As we know, a triangle's interior angles will always all add up to Let's say that each angle in the equilateral triangle is
Dividing both sides by three we can find the value of
So there we have it, the interior angles of an equilateral triangle are always each
The next type of triangle we will look at is the isosceles triangle. Similar to equilateral triangles, we can spot an isosceles triangle by the length of its sides or by the size of its interior angles.
An isosceles triangle is a triangle with two sides of equal length, and a third of a different length. Consequently, only two of the interior angles of an isosceles triangle are equal.
The triangle below is an isosceles triangle. In this case, the dashes indicate that only the sides and are equal. The interior angles and can be seen to be equal, but not the angle
An isosceles triangle, characterised by its two equal sides and two equal angles, StudySmarter Originals
So, we've seen equilateral triangles, which have three equal sides, and isosceles triangles which have two equal sides, so what will be the case for scalene triangles? You guessed it, they have no equal sides!
A scalene triangle is a triangle with no sides of equal length. Consequently, none of the interior angles are equal.
The triangle below is a scalene triangle. As such, it has no dashes indicating equal sides.
A scalene triangle, characterised by its lack of equal sides or interior angles, StudySmarter Originals
The final type of triangle is a right-angled triangle. Unlike the previous types of triangles discussed, right-angled triangles are not defined by the number of equal sides or the number of equal angles. In fact, the only thing that a triangle needs to possess to be right-angled, is one interior angle equalling In other words, it must possess a right angle. This means that a right-angled triangle will also be either an isosceles triangle or a scalene triangle.
A right-angled triangle is a triangle possessing one interior angle of Its other two interior angles may be equal or not equal, and it may have two or zero equal sides.
The triangle below is a right-angled triangle. This can be instantly recognised by the box in place of the usual angle segment, denoting a angle.
A right-angled triangle, characterised by its single right interior angle, StudySmarter Originals
Right-angled triangles are extremely important in maths, why not head over to our explanations on Pythagoras Theorem and Trigonometry to really learn about what makes them special!
Now, let's see if we can use what we've learnt to try and classify some triangles.
What triangle classification does each of the triangles below belong to?
a)
Triangle for question a) with three labelled angles, StudySmarter Originals
Solution:
This triangle is an isosceles triangle, as it has two angles that are equal, and and a third that is not.
b)
Solution:
This triangle is an equilateral triangle, as it has three sides of equal length.
c)
Triangle for question c), with two labelled angles, StudySmarter Originals
Solution:
We are only given two angles for this triangle; however, knowing that the interior angles of a triangle always add up to we can determine the third angle, Firstly, we equate the sum of the three angles to
Then, we substitute the angles we know and rearrange the equation to find
As the third angle, is a right angle, the triangle is a right-angled triangle. As all three interior angles are different, it is also a scalene triangle.
d)
Triangle for question d), with three labelled angles, StudySmarter
Solution:
This triangle is a scalene triangle as none of its interior angles are equal.
e)
Solution:
The triangle is an isosceles triangle, as it has two sides of the same length, indicated by the two dashes.
f)
Triangle for question f), with two labelled angles, StudySmarter
Solution:
In this question, we are given two interior angles which are equal. By remembering that all interior angles in a triangle add up to we can use these two interior angles to find the third angle,
First, we equate the three interior angles to
Then, we substitute the angles we know and rearrange the equation to find
As the triangle has one right interior angle, and two equal interior angles, it must be both an isosceles, and a right-angled triangle.
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What are the types of triangles in geometry?
There are four types of triangles: equilateral, isosceles, scalene, and right-angled.
What are the different types of triangles and their properties?
Equilateral triangles have three equal sides and three equal interior angles.
Isosceles triangles have two equal sides and two equal interior angles.
Scalene triangles have no equal sides and no equal interior angles.
Right-angled triangles have one interior angle which is a right-angle.
How to classify the types of triangles?
Triangles can be classified by comparing the lengths of their sides, as well as by comparing the size of their interior angles.
What are the 3 types of triangles based on sides?
Equilateral, isosceles, and scalene triangles are all classified based on the length of their sides.
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