Triangles in Geometry (Definition, Shape, Types,

Properties & Examples)

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In Geometry, a triangle is a three-sided polygon that consists of three edges and three vertices. The
most important property of a triangle is that the sum of the internal angles of a triangle is equal
to 180 degrees. This property is called angle sum property of triangle.

If ABC is a triangle, then it is denoted as ∆ABC, where A, B and C are the vertices of the triangle. A
triangle is a two-dimensional shape, in Euclidean geometry, which is seen as three non-collinear points
in a unique plane.

Table of contents:
Definition

Angles

Properties

Types
Scalene Triangle

Isosceles Triangle

Equilateral Triangle

Acute Angle Triangle

Right Angle Triangle

Obtuse Angle Triangle

Perimeter

Area

Heron’s Formula

Solved Examples

Video Lesson

FAQs

Below given is a triangle having three sides and three edges, which are numbered as 0,1,2.
As we discussed in the introduction, a triangle is a type of polygon, which has three sides, and the two
sides are joined end to end is called the vertex of the triangle. An angle is formed between two sides.
This is one of the important parts of geometry.

Some major concepts, such as Pythagoras theorem and trigonometry, are dependent on triangle
properties. A triangle has different types based on its angles and sides.

Shape of Triangle

Triangle is a closed two-dimensional shape. It is a three-sided polygon. All sides are made of straight
lines. The point where two straight lines join is the vertex. Hence, the triangle has three vertices. Each
vertex forms an angle.

Angles of Triangle

There are three angles in a triangle. These angles are formed by two sides of the triangle, which meets
at a common point, known as the vertex. The sum of all three interior angles is equal to 180 degrees.

If we extend the side length outwards, then it forms an exterior angle. The sum of consecutive interior
and exterior angles of a triangle is supplementary.

Let us say, ∠1, ∠2 and ∠3 are the interior angles of a triangle. When we extend the sides of the triangle
in the outward direction, then the three exterior angles formed are ∠4, ∠5 and ∠6, which are
consecutive to ∠1, ∠2 and ∠3, respectively.
Hence,

∠1 + ∠4 = 180° ……(i)

∠2 + ∠5 = 180° …..(ii)

∠3 + ∠6 = 180° …..(iii)

If we add the above three equations, we get;

∠1+∠2+∠3+∠4+∠5+∠6 = 180° + 180° + 180°

Now, by angle sum property we know,

∠1+∠2+∠3 = 180°

Therefore,

180 + ∠4+∠5+∠6 = 180° + 180° + 180°

∠4+∠5+∠6 = 360°

This proves that the sum of the exterior angles of a triangle is equal to 360 degrees.

Properties

Each and every shape in Maths has some properties which distinguish them from each other. Let us
discuss here some of the properties of triangles.

A triangle has three sides and three angles.

The sum of the angles of a triangle is always 180 degrees.

The exterior angles of a triangle always add up to 360 degrees.

The sum of consecutive interior and exterior angle is supplementary.

The sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle is greater than the length of the third side.
Similarly, the difference between the lengths of any two sides of a triangle is less than the length of the
third side.

The shortest side is always opposite the smallest interior angle. Similarly, the longest side is always
opposite the largest interior angle.

Also, read:

Types Of Triangles

Properties Of Triangle

Congruence Of Triangles

Pythagoras Theorem

Triangle Formula

Triangles Class 9

Triangles For Class 10

Types

On the basis of length of the sides, triangles are classified into three categories:

Scalene Triangle

Isosceles Triangle

Equilateral Triangle

On the basis of measurement of the angles, triangles are classified into three categories:

Acute Angle Triangle

Right Angle Triangle

Obtuse Angle Triangle

Scalene Triangle

A scalene triangle is a type of triangle, in which all the three sides have different side measures. Due to
this, the three angles are also different from each other.
Isosceles Triangle

In an isosceles triangle, two sides have equal length. The two angles opposite to the two equal sides are
also equal to each other.

Equilateral Triangle

An equilateral triangle has all three sides equal to each other. Due to this all the internal angles are of
equal degrees, i.e. each of the angles is 60°

Acute Angled Triangle

An acute triangle has all of its angles less than 90°.

Right Angled Triangle

In a right triangle, one of the angles is equal to 90° or right angle.

Obtuse Angled Triangle

An obtuse triangle has any of its one angles more than 90°.
Perimeter of Triangle

A perimeter of a triangle is defined as the total length of the outer boundary of the triangle. Or we can
say, the perimeter of the triangle is equal to the sum of all its three sides. The unit of the perimeter is
same as the unit of sides of the triangle.

Perimeter = Sum of All Sides

If ABC is a triangle, where AB, BC and AC are the lengths of its sides, then the perimeter of ABC is
given by:

Perimeter = AB+BC+AC

Area of a Triangle

The area of a triangle is the region occupied by the triangle in 2d space. The area for different triangles
varies from each other depending on their dimensions. We can calculate the area if we know the base
length and the height of a triangle. It is measured in square units.

Suppose a triangle with base ‘B’ and height ‘H’ is given to us, then, the area of a triangle is given by-
Formula:

Area of triangle = Half of Product of Base and Height

Area = 1/2 × Base × Height

Example

Question- Find the area of a triangle having base equal to 9 cm and height equal to 6 cm.

Solution- We know that Area = 1/2 × Base × Height

= 1/2 × 9 × 6 cm2

= 27 cm2

Area of Triangle Using Heron’s Formula

In case, if the height of a triangle is not given, we cannot be able to use the above formula to find the
area of a triangle.

Therefore, Heron’s formula is used to calculate the area of a triangle, if all the sides lengths are known.

First, we need to calculate the semi perimeter (s).

s = (a+b+c)/2, (where a,b,c are the three sides of a triangle)

Now Area is given by; A = √[s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)]

Solved Examples

Question 1: If ABC is a triangle where AB = 3cm, BC=5cm and AC = 4cm, then find its
perimeter.

Solution: Given, ABC is a triangle.

AB = 3cm

BC = 5cm

AC = 4cm

As we know by the formula,

Perimeter = Sum of all three sides

P = AB + BC + AC

P = 3+5+4

P = 12cm

Question 2: Find the area of a triangle having sides 5,6 and 7 units length.

Solution- Using Heron’s formula to find the area of a triangle-

Semiperimeter (s) = (a+b+c)/2

s = (5 + 6 +7)/2

s=9

Now Area of a triangle = √[s(s-a)(s-b)(s-c)]

=√[9(9-5)(9-6)(9-7)]

=√ [9 × 4 × 3 × 2]

=√ [3 × 3 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 2]

=√ [32 × 22 × 3 × 2]

= 6√6 square units.

Triangles: Introduction

Geometry is all about shapes like squares, circles, rectangles, triangles and so on. Among all the shapes
that we have listed here, triangles seem to be fun and different. Triangle is a shape that is made up of
three lines and three angles. Watch this video to know how triangle is different from other shapes and
see how you can learn and remember different types of triangles easily from the video. We see
triangles everywhere. If we somehow manage to bring three lines together, we can see a triangle is
formed. There are different types of triangles – equilateral triangles, isosceles triangles, scalene
triangles and so on. The names of these triangles don’t even sound English. Do you know how these
triangles got these names? Watch this video to know the trivia behind triangles and learn their
properties in the simplest way.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs on Triangles

What are triangles?

A triangle is a three-sided polygon, which has three vertices. The three sides are connected with each
other end to end at a point, which forms the angles of the triangle. The sum of all three angles of the
triangle is equal to 180 degrees.
How many types of triangles are there in Maths?

There are basically six types of triangles. They are:

Scalene Triangles
Isosceles triangles
Equilateral triangles
Acute triangles
Obtuse triangles
Right triangles

What are the properties of triangles?

Sum of angles of the triangle is equal to 180 degrees.

Exterior angles of a triangle add up to 360 degrees.
Shortest side is always opposite the smallest angle of a triangle.

What is the perimeter and area of a triangle?

The perimeter is the length of the outer boundary of the triangle and area is the region occupied by it
in a two-dimensional space.

What is the formula for area and perimeter of a triangle?

The perimeter of triangle = Sum of all three sides

Area = ½ (Product of base and height of a triangle)

What is scalene, isosceles and equilateral triangle?

Scalene, isosceles and equilateral triangle are the types of triangles which differ from each other based
on their side-length.
If all the three sides are different in length, then its scalene triangle.
If any two sides are equal in length, then it is an isosceles triangle.
If all three sides are equal in length, then it is an equilateral triangle.

What is the difference between acute triangle, obtuse triangle and right triangle?

An acute triangle has all its angles less than 90 degrees.

An obtuse triangle has any one of its angle greater than 90 degrees.
A right triangle has exactly one angle equal to 90 degrees.