Isosceles Triangle Practice Problems with Solutions

Master identifying isosceles triangles with step-by-step practice problems. Learn to recognize equal angles, heights, medians, and angle bisectors in triangles.

📚What You'll Master in This Practice Session
  • Identify isosceles triangles using equal angle conditions
  • Apply height and angle bisector coincidence rules
  • Recognize when median and height are the same line
  • Solve problems involving isosceles triangle properties
  • Distinguish between isosceles and other triangle types
  • Use triangle identification methods in real geometry problems

Understanding Identification of an Isosceles Triangle

Complete explanation with examples

When we have a triangle, we can identify that it is an isosceles if at least one of the following conditions is met:

1) If the triangle has two equal angles - The triangle is isosceles.
2) If in the triangle the height also bisects the angle of the vertex - The triangle is isosceles.
3) If in the triangle the height is also the median - The triangle is isosceles.
4) If in the triangle the median is also the bisector - The triangle is isosceles.

Detailed explanation

Practice Identification of an Isosceles Triangle

Test your knowledge with 20 quizzes

Given the size of the 3 sides of the triangle, is it an equilateral triangle?

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Examples with solutions for Identification of an Isosceles Triangle

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

Calculate the size of angle X given that the triangle is equilateral.

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Step-by-Step Solution

Remember that the sum of angles in a triangle is equal to 180.

In an equilateral triangle, all sides and all angles are equal to each other.

Therefore, we will calculate as follows:

x+x+x=180 x+x+x=180

3x=180 3x=180

We divide both sides by 3:

x=60 x=60

Answer:

60

Video Solution
Exercise #2

Can a right triangle be equilateral?

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the properties of a right triangle.
  • Step 2: Identify the properties of an equilateral triangle.
  • Step 3: Compare these properties to determine if a right triangle can be equilateral.

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: A right triangle is defined by having one angle equal to 9090^\circ.
Step 2: An equilateral triangle is defined by having all three sides of equal length and all three angles equal to 6060^\circ.
Step 3: Compare the angle measurements: A right triangle cannot have all angles 6060^\circ because it requires one angle to be 9090^\circ. Likewise, an equilateral triangle cannot have a 9090^\circ angle, as all its angles must be 6060^\circ.

Therefore, it is impossible for a right triangle to be equilateral, as they fundamentally differ in angle requirements.

The answer to the problem is No.

Answer:

No

Video Solution
Exercise #3

Choose the appropriate triangle according to the following:

Angle B equals 90 degrees.

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's note in which of the triangles angle B forms a right angle, meaning an angle of 90 degrees.

In answers C+D, we can see that angle B is smaller than 90 degrees.

In answer A, it is equal to 90 degrees.

Answer:

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Video Solution
Exercise #4

Does every right triangle have an angle _____ The other two angles are _______

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's analyze the problem to understand how the angles are defined in a right triangle.

A right triangle is defined as a triangle that has one angle equal to 9090^\circ. This is known as a right angle. Because the sum of all angles in any triangle must be 180180^\circ, the two remaining angles must add up to 9090^\circ (i.e., 18090180^\circ - 90^\circ).

In a right triangle, the right angle is always present, leaving the other two angles to be less than 9090^\circ each. These angles are called acute angles. An acute angle is an angle that is less than 9090^\circ.

To summarize, the angle types in a right triangle are:

  • One angle that is 9090^\circ (a right angle).
  • Two angles that are each less than 9090^\circ (acute angles).

Given the choices, the description "Straight, sharp" correlates to the angle types in a right triangle, as "Straight" can be associated with the 9090^\circ angle (though it's generally called a right angle) and "Sharp" correlates with acute angles.

Therefore, the correct aspect of the other two angles in a right triangle are straight (right) and sharp (acute), which matches the correct choice.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is Straight, sharp.

Answer:

Straight, sharp

Video Solution
Exercise #5

Does the diagram show an obtuse triangle?

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine if the triangle in the diagram is obtuse, we will visually assess the angles:

  • Step 1: Identify the angles in the diagram. The triangle has three angles, with one angle appearing between the horizontal base and the left slanted side.
  • Step 2: Evaluate the angle between the base and the left side. If it opens wider than a right angle, it's considered obtuse. This angle seems to be greater than 9090^\circ, indicating obtuseness.
  • Step 3: Conclude based on visual inspection. Since this key angle is greater than 9090^\circ, the triangle must be an obtuse triangle.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is Yes; the diagram does show an obtuse triangle.

Answer:

Yes

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify an isosceles triangle in geometry?

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An isosceles triangle can be identified by checking if: 1) Two angles are equal, 2) The height bisects the vertex angle, 3) The height is also the median, or 4) The median is also the angle bisector. If any of these conditions are met, the triangle is isosceles.

What are the 4 ways to prove a triangle is isosceles?

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The four methods are: 1) Show two angles are equal, 2) Prove the height bisects the vertex angle, 3) Demonstrate the height equals the median, 4) Show the median equals the angle bisector. These conditions stem from the fundamental property that isosceles triangles have two equal sides.

Why do equal angles prove an isosceles triangle?

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Equal angles prove an isosceles triangle because of the angle-side relationship: sides opposite to equal angles are also equal. Therefore, if two angles in a triangle are equal, the sides opposite those angles must be equal, making it isosceles.

What happens when height, median, and angle bisector coincide in triangles?

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When any two of these three lines (height, median, angle bisector) coincide in a triangle, it proves the triangle is isosceles. In isosceles triangles, all three of these special lines from the vertex angle to the base are actually the same line.

Can you identify isosceles triangles without measuring sides?

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Yes, you can identify isosceles triangles without measuring sides by using angle measurements or geometric properties. Check for equal angles, or verify if special lines like height, median, or angle bisector coincide - these methods don't require side measurements.

What's the difference between isosceles triangle identification and other triangle types?

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Isosceles triangles have exactly two equal sides and two equal base angles, while equilateral triangles have all sides equal and scalene triangles have no equal sides. The identification methods for isosceles triangles specifically look for these 'two equal' properties.

How do you solve isosceles triangle problems step by step?

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Follow these steps: 1) Identify given information about angles, sides, or special lines, 2) Check which identification condition applies, 3) Apply the appropriate rule (equal angles, coinciding lines, etc.), 4) Use isosceles properties to find unknown values, 5) Verify your answer makes geometric sense.

What are common mistakes when identifying isosceles triangles?

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Common mistakes include: assuming a triangle is isosceles without proof, confusing isosceles with equilateral triangles, not recognizing when special lines coincide, and forgetting that equal angles indicate equal opposite sides. Always verify using one of the four identification methods.

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