Triangle Theorems

UNIT 5: Triangle Theorems

Triangle Congruence, Similarity, and Special Segments


Page 2: Posters and Anchor Charts

  1. Polygons: Interior angle sums and exterior angle sums.

  2. Triangle Sum Theorem: The sum of interior angles in a triangle is 180°.

  3. Triangle Inequality & Pythagorean Inequality: Rules governing triangle side lengths and right triangles respectively.

  4. Triangle Congruence and Similarity Theorems: The criteria for determining triangle congruence and similarity; includes solving proportions.


Page 4: DAY 1 - Prerequisite Knowledge

  1. Triangle Symbol (△): Represents triangle, e.g., △ABC.

  2. Conditional Statements: Review of IF-THEN statements.

  3. 2-Column Proofs: A method of proof using statistical reasoning.

  4. Triangle Classification:

    • Acute: All angles < 90°

    • Right: One angle = 90°

    • Obtuse: One angle > 90°

    • Equilateral: All sides and angles equal

    • Isosceles: Two sides and angles equal

    • Scalene: No sides or angles equal

  5. Naming triangles: Use vertices in a clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW) manner, e.g., △ABC.


Page 5: DAY 1 - Triangle Classification by Sides and Angles

  • Triangle Inequality Theorem: A new theorem explored this day.

  • Classification:

    • By sides: scalene, isosceles, equilateral.

    • By angles: acute, right, obtuse.

  • Activity: Triangle classification exercise.


Page 6: DAY 2 - Range of Possible Side Lengths

  • Triangle Inequality Theorem: Conditions for side lengths to form a triangle:

    • The length of any side must be less than the sum of the other two sides.

    • The length of any side must be greater than the difference of the other two sides.

  • Charts and Examples: Review inequalities for triangle formations.


Page 8: DAY 1 - Triangle Inequality Theorem

  • Definition: The sum of any two sides must always be greater than the length of the third side, and the difference must be less than the third side.

  • Proof: Illustrated through positioning and manipulation of triangle angles and sides.


Page 9: DAY 2 - Pythagorean Inequality in Classification

  • Establishing if a triangle is acute, right, or obtuse by using the squares of side lengths.

    • Acute Triangle: c² < a² + b²

    • Right Triangle: c² = a² + b²

    • Obtuse Triangle: c² > a² + b²


Page 11: DAY 3 - Interior vs Exterior Angles

  • Interior Angles: Angles within the triangle.

  • Exterior Angles: Formed by extending the triangle's side.

  • Remote Interior Angles: Non-adjacent interior angles relative to an external angle.


Page 12: DAY 3 - Triangle Sum Theorem

  • Theorem: Sum of interior angles in a triangle = 180°.

  • Proof Process: Steps to demonstrate validity using parallel lines and angles.


Page 13: DAY 3 - Exterior Angle Theorem

  • Theorem: The exterior angle equals the sum of the two remote interior angles.

  • Proof Process: Similar structured proof as The Triangle Sum Theorem.


Page 15: DAY 4-5 - Review & Practice

  • Isosceles and Equilateral Triangles: Emphasis on their properties for the test preparation.

  • Isosceles: Two congruent sides and angles.

  • Equilateral: All sides and angles equal (60 degrees each).


Page 19: Properties of Congruent Triangles

  • Key Concept: If two triangles are congruent, all corresponding parts are congruent (CPCTC).

  • Other properties (area, perimeter) are also the same.


Page 20: Triangle Congruence Theorems

  • Triangles are congruent based on:

    1. SSS (Side-Side-Side)

    2. SAS (Side-Angle-Side)

    3. ASA (Angle-Side-Angle)

    4. AAS (Angle-Angle-Side)

    5. HL (Hypotenuse-Leg for right triangles).


Page 21: Groups that Do Not Work

  • Triangles are NOT congruent if:

    1. AAA (All angles equal) - Similar but not congruent.

    2. SSA (Two sides, non-included angle).


Page 28: Corresponding Parts of Congruent Triangles

  • CPCTC reiterated as an important principle in proofs.


Page 56-63: Special Segment Constructions

  • Centroid, Circumcenter, Incenter: Definitions and methods for constructing special segments and bisectors within triangles.