NOTES: Solving Isosceles Triangles
1. Definition
An isosceles triangle is a triangle with two equal sides and two equal base angles.
- Legs → the two equal sides
- Base → the third side
- Vertex angle → angle between the legs
- Base angles → the two equal angles
2. Key Properties
1. Two sides are congruent.
2. Two base angles are congruent.
3. Altitude from the vertex angle:
- Bisects the vertex angle.
- Bisects the base.
- Creates two congruent right triangles.
3. Useful Theorems
A. Base Angles Theorem
If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite them are congruent.
B. Converse Base Angles Theorem
If two angles of a triangle are congruent, then the sides opposite them are congruent.
4. Strategies in Solving Isosceles Triangle Problems
A. Using Angle Sum
The sum of interior angles of a triangle is 180°.
B. Using the Altitude
The altitude splits the triangle into two right triangles.
C. Using Congruent Triangles
Use ASA, AAS, SSS, or SAS when the altitude is drawn.
5. Common Problem Types
1. Finding Missing Angles
2. Finding Side Lengths using Pythagorean Theorem or Trigonometry
3. Word Problems (height, perimeter, etc.)
6. Quick Tips
✔ Base angles are equal.
✔ Altitude splits the triangle into two right triangles.
✔ Opposite equal sides → equal angles.
✔ Opposite equal angles → equal sides.
✔ Use angle sum rule early.
NOTES: Solving Isosceles Triangles
1. Definition
An isosceles triangle is a triangle with two equal sides and two equal base angles.
- Legs → the two equal sides
- Base → the third side
- Vertex angle → angle between the legs
- Base angles → the two equal angles
2. Key Properties
1. Two sides are congruent.
2. Two base angles are congruent.
3. Altitude from the vertex angle:
- Bisects the vertex angle.
- Bisects the base.
- Creates two congruent right triangles.
3. Useful Theorems
A. Base Angles Theorem
If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite them are congruent.
B. Converse Base Angles Theorem
If two angles of a triangle are congruent, then the sides opposite them are congruent.
4. Strategies in Solving Isosceles Triangle Problems
A. Using Angle Sum
The sum of interior angles of a triangle is 180°.
B. Using the Altitude
The altitude splits the triangle into two right triangles.
C. Using Congruent Triangles
Use ASA, AAS, SSS, or SAS when the altitude is drawn.
5. Common Problem Types
1. Finding Missing Angles
2. Finding Side Lengths using Pythagorean Theorem or Trigonometry
3. Word Problems (height, perimeter, etc.)
6. Quick Tips
✔ Base angles are equal.
✔ Altitude splits the triangle into two right triangles.
✔ Opposite equal sides → equal angles.
✔ Opposite equal angles → equal sides.
✔ Use angle sum rule early.
NOTES: Solving Isosceles Triangles
1. Definition
An isosceles triangle is a triangle with two equal sides and two equal base angles.
- Legs → the two equal sides
- Base → the third side
- Vertex angle → angle between the legs
- Base angles → the two equal angles
2. Key Properties
1. Two sides are congruent.
2. Two base angles are congruent.
3. Altitude from the vertex angle:
- Bisects the vertex angle.
- Bisects the base.
- Creates two congruent right triangles.
3. Useful Theorems
A. Base Angles Theorem
If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite them are congruent.
B. Converse Base Angles Theorem
If two angles of a triangle are congruent, then the sides opposite them are congruent.
4. Strategies in Solving Isosceles Triangle Problems
A. Using Angle Sum
The sum of interior angles of a triangle is 180°.
B. Using the Altitude
The altitude splits the triangle into two right triangles.
C. Using Congruent Triangles
Use ASA, AAS, SSS, or SAS when the altitude is drawn.
5. Common Problem Types
1. Finding Missing Angles
2. Finding Side Lengths using Pythagorean Theorem or Trigonometry
3. Word Problems (height, perimeter, etc.)
6. Quick Tips
✔ Base angles are equal.
✔ Altitude splits the triangle into two right triangles.
✔ Opposite equal sides → equal angles.
✔ Opposite equal angles → equal sides.
✔ Use angle sum rule early.
NOTES: Solving Isosceles Triangles
1. Definition
An isosceles triangle is a triangle with two equal sides and two equal base angles.
- Legs → the two equal sides
- Base → the third side
- Vertex angle → angle between the legs
- Base angles → the two equal angles
2. Key Properties
1. Two sides are congruent.
2. Two base angles are congruent.
3. Altitude from the vertex angle:
- Bisects the vertex angle.
- Bisects the base.
- Creates two congruent right triangles.
3. Useful Theorems
A. Base Angles Theorem
If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite them are congruent.
B. Converse Base Angles Theorem
If two angles of a triangle are congruent, then the sides opposite them are congruent.
4. Strategies in Solving Isosceles Triangle Problems
A. Using Angle Sum
The sum of interior angles of a triangle is 180°.
B. Using the Altitude
The altitude splits the triangle into two right triangles.
C. Using Congruent Triangles
Use ASA, AAS, SSS, or SAS when the altitude is drawn.
5. Common Problem Types
1. Finding Missing Angles
2. Finding Side Lengths using Pythagorean Theorem or Trigonometry
3. Word Problems (height, perimeter, etc.)
6. Quick Tips
✔ Base angles are equal.
✔ Altitude splits the triangle into two right triangles.
✔ Opposite equal sides → equal angles.
✔ Opposite equal angles → equal sides.
✔ Use angle sum rule early.
NOTES: Solving Isosceles Triangles
1. Definition
An isosceles triangle is a triangle with two equal sides and two equal base angles.
- Legs → the two equal sides
- Base → the third side
- Vertex angle → angle between the legs
- Base angles → the two equal angles
2. Key Properties
1. Two sides are congruent.
2. Two base angles are congruent.
3. Altitude from the vertex angle:
- Bisects the vertex angle.
- Bisects the base.
- Creates two congruent right triangles.
3. Useful Theorems
A. Base Angles Theorem
If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite them are congruent.
B. Converse Base Angles Theorem
If two angles of a triangle are congruent, then the sides opposite them are congruent.
4. Strategies in Solving Isosceles Triangle Problems
A. Using Angle Sum
The sum of interior angles of a triangle is 180°.
B. Using the Altitude
The altitude splits the triangle into two right triangles.
C. Using Congruent Triangles
Use ASA, AAS, SSS, or SAS when the altitude is drawn.
5. Common Problem Types
1. Finding Missing Angles
2. Finding Side Lengths using Pythagorean Theorem or Trigonometry
3. Word Problems (height, perimeter, etc.)
6. Quick Tips
✔ Base angles are equal.
✔ Altitude splits the triangle into two right triangles.
✔ Opposite equal sides → equal angles.
✔ Opposite equal angles → equal sides.
✔ Use angle sum rule early.
NOTES: Solving Isosceles Triangles
1. Definition
An isosceles triangle is a triangle with two equal sides and two equal base angles.
- Legs → the two equal sides
- Base → the third side
- Vertex angle → angle between the legs
- Base angles → the two equal angles
2. Key Properties
1. Two sides are congruent.
2. Two base angles are congruent.
3. Altitude from the vertex angle:
- Bisects the vertex angle.
- Bisects the base.
- Creates two congruent right triangles.
3. Useful Theorems
A. Base Angles Theorem
If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite them are congruent.
B. Converse Base Angles Theorem
If two angles of a triangle are congruent, then the sides opposite them are congruent.
4. Strategies in Solving Isosceles Triangle Problems
A. Using Angle Sum
The sum of interior angles of a triangle is 180°.
B. Using the Altitude
The altitude splits the triangle into two right triangles.
C. Using Congruent Triangles
Use ASA, AAS, SSS, or SAS when the altitude is drawn.
5. Common Problem Types
1. Finding Missing Angles
2. Finding Side Lengths using Pythagorean Theorem or Trigonometry
3. Word Problems (height, perimeter, etc.)
6. Quick Tips
✔ Base angles are equal.
✔ Altitude splits the triangle into two right triangles.
✔ Opposite equal sides → equal angles.
✔ Opposite equal angles → equal sides.
✔ Use angle sum rule early.
NOTES: Solving Isosceles Triangles
1. Definition
An isosceles triangle is a triangle with two equal sides and two equal base angles.
- Legs → the two equal sides
- Base → the third side
- Vertex angle → angle between the legs
- Base angles → the two equal angles
2. Key Properties
1. Two sides are congruent.
2. Two base angles are congruent.
3. Altitude from the vertex angle:
- Bisects the vertex angle.
- Bisects the base.
- Creates two congruent right triangles.
3. Useful Theorems
A. Base Angles Theorem
If two sides of a triangle are congruent, then the angles opposite them are congruent.
B. Converse Base Angles Theorem
If two angles of a triangle are congruent, then the sides opposite them are congruent.
4. Strategies in Solving Isosceles Triangle Problems
A. Using Angle Sum
The sum of interior angles of a triangle is 180°.
B. Using the Altitude
The altitude splits the triangle into two right triangles.
C. Using Congruent Triangles
Use ASA, AAS, SSS, or SAS when the altitude is drawn.
5. Common Problem Types
1. Finding Missing Angles
2. Finding Side Lengths using Pythagorean Theorem or Trigonometry
3. Word Problems (height, perimeter, etc.)
6. Quick Tips
✔ Base angles are equal.
✔ Altitude splits the triangle into two right triangles.
✔ Opposite equal sides → equal angles.
✔ Opposite equal angles → equal sides.
✔ Use angle sum rule early.