GRACE MISSION COLLEGE

Catiningan, Socorro, Oriental Mindoro

e-Mail: grace.missioncollege@yahoo.com

Module 3 in Plane and Solid Geometry

RIGHT TRIANGLES

GEOMETRIC MEAN

When a positive value is repeated in either the means or extremes position of a proportion, that value is referred to
as a geometric mean (or mean proportional) between the other two values.

Example 1: Find the geometric mean between 4 and 25.

Let x = the geometric mean.

4 𝑥
= (definition of geometric mean)
𝑥 25

𝑥 2 = 100 (Cross-Products Property)

x = √100

x = 10

The geometric mean between 4 and 25 is 10.

Example 2: 12 is the geometric mean between 8 and what other value of x.

Let x = the other value.

8 12
= (definition of geometric mean)
12 𝑥

8x = 144 (Cross-Products Property)

x = 18

The other value is 18.

ALTITUDE TO THE HYPOTENUSE

In Figure 1, right triangle ABC has altitude BD drawn to the hypotenuse AC.

Figure 1. An altitude drawn to the hypotenuse of a right triangle.

The following theorem can now be easily shown using the AA Similarity Postulate.

Theorem 39: The altitude drawn to the hypotenuse of a right triangle creates two similar right triangles, each similar to the
original right triangle and similar to each other.

Figure 2 shows the three right triangles created in Figure 1. They have been drawn in such a way that corresponding parts
are easily recognized.
 Figure 2. Three similar right triangles from Figure 1 (not drawn to scale).

Note that AB and BC are legs of the original right triangle; AC is the hypotenuse in the original right triangle; BD is
the altitude drawn to the hypotenuse; AD is the segment on the hypotenuse touching leg AB and DC is the segment on the
hypotenuse touching leg BC.

Because the triangles are similar to one another, ratios of all pairs of corresponding sides are equal. This produces
three proportions involving geometric means.

These two proportions can now be stated as a theorem.

Theorem 40: If an altitude is drawn to the hypotenuse of a right triangle, then each leg is the geometric mean between the
hypotenuse and its touching segment on the hypotenuse.

This proportion can now be stated as a theorem.

Theorem 41: If an altitude is drawn to the hypotenuse of a right triangle, then it is the geometric mean between the segments
on the hypotenuse.

Example 1: Use Figure 3 to write three proportions involving geometric means.

Figure 3. Using geometric means to write three proportions.

By Theorem 40,

By Theorem 41,

PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM AND ITS CONVERSE

In Figure 1, CD is the altitude to hypotenuse AB.

Figure 1. An altitude drawn to the hypotenuse of a right triangle to aid in deriving the Pythagorean theorem.

So, by Theorem 63,

 c/ a = a/ x, which becomes a2 = cx
 and c/ b = b/ y, which becomes b2 = cy
 From the addition property of equations in algebra, we get the following equation.

By factoring out the c on the right side,

But x + y = c (Segment Addition Postulate),

This result is known as the Pythagorean Theorem.

Theorem 42 (Pythagorean Theorem): In any right triangle, the sum of the squares of the legs equals the square of the
hypotenuse (leg2 + leg2 = hypotenuse2). See Figure 2 for the parts of a right triangle.

Figure 2. Parts of a right triangle

Example 1: In Figure 3, find x, the length of the hypotenuse.

Figure 3. Using the Pythagorean Theorem to find the hypotenuse of a right triangle

𝑙𝑒𝑔2 + 𝑙𝑒𝑔2 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 2

32 + 42 = 𝑥 2
9 + 16 = 𝑥 2
25 = 𝑥 2
√25 = 𝑥
5=x

Example 2: Use Figure 4 to find x.

Figure 4. Using the Pythagorean Theorem to find the hypotenuse of a right triangle

𝑙𝑒𝑔2 + 𝑙𝑒𝑔2 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 2

52 + 72 = 𝑥 2
25 + 49 = 𝑥 2
74 = 𝑥 2
√74 = 𝑥

Any three natural numbers, a, b, c, that make the sentence a2 + b2 = c2 true are called a Pythagorean triple.
Therefore, 3‐4‐5 is called a Pythagorean triple. Some other values for a, b, and c that will work are 5‐12‐13 and 8‐15‐17.
Any multiple of one of these triples will also work. For example, using the 3‐4‐5: 6‐8‐10, 9‐12‐15, and 15‐20‐25 are also
Pythagorean triples.

Example 3: Use Figure 5 to find x.

 Figure 5. Using the Pythagorean Theorem to find a leg of a right triangle

If you can recognize that the numbers x, 24, 26 are a multiple of the 5‐12‐13 Pythagorean triple, the answer
for x is quickly found. Because 24 = 2(12) and 26 = 2(13), then x = 2(5) or x = 10. You can also find x by using
the Pythagorean Theorem.

𝑙𝑒𝑔2 + 𝑙𝑒𝑔2 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 2

𝑥 2 + 242 = 262
𝑥 2 + 576 = 676
𝑥 2 = 100
𝑥 = √100
𝑥 = 10

Example 4: Use Figure 6 to find x.

Figure 6. Using the Pythagorean Theorem to find the unknown parts of a right triangle

𝑙𝑒𝑔2 + 𝑙𝑒𝑔2 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 2

𝑥 2 + (𝑥 + 3)2 = (𝑥 + 6)2
𝑥 2 + 𝑥 2 + 6x + 9 = 𝑥 2 + 12x + 36
2𝑥 2 + 6x + 9 = 𝑥 2 + 12x + 36

Subtract x2 + 12x + 36 from both sides.

𝑥 2 – 6x – 27 = 0
Factor. (x-9) (x+3) = 0
x-9 = 0 or x+3 = 0

So, x = 9 or x = -3

But x is a length, so it cannot be negative. Therefore, x = 9.

The converse (reverse) of the Pythagorean Theorem is also true.

Theorem 43: If a triangle has sides of lengths a, b, and c where c is the longest length and c2 = a2 + b2, then the triangle is
a right triangle with c its hypotenuse.

Example 5: Determine if the following sets of lengths could be the sides of a right triangle: (a) 6−5−4, (b) √11 − √14 −
5 , (c) 3/4−1−5/4.

(a) Because 6 is the longest length, do the following check.

62 ? 42 + 52
36 ? 16 + 25
36 ≠ 41

So 4‐5‐6 are not the sides of a right triangle.

(b) Because 5 is the longest length, do the following check.

52 ? (√11)2 + (√14)2
25 ? 11 + 14
25 = 25

So √11 − √14 − 5 are sides of a right triangle, and 5 is the length of the hypotenuse.
(c) Because 5/4 is the longest length, do the following check.

(5/4)2 ? (3/4)2 + (1)2

25/16 ? 9/16 + 1
25/16 = 25/16

So 3/4‐1‐5/4 are sides of a right triangle, and 5/4 is the length of the hypotenuse.

EXTENSION TO THE PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM

Variations of Theorem 43 can be used to classify a triangle as right, obtuse, or acute.

Theorem 44: If a, b, and c represent the lengths of the sides of a triangle, and c is the longest length, then the triangle is
obtuse if c2 > a2 + b2, and the triangle is acute if c2 < a2 + b2.

Figures 1 (a) through (c) show these different triangle situations and the sentences comparing their sides. In each
case, c represents the longest side in the triangle.

Figure 1. The relationship of the square of the longest side to the sum of the squares of the other two sides of a right
triangle, an obtuse triangle, and an acute triangle

Example 1: Determine whether the following sets of three values could be the lengths of the sides of a triangle. If the values
can be the sides of a triangle, then classify the triangle.

a. 16‐30‐34 d. 4‐4‐5
b. 5‐5‐8 e. 9‐12‐16
c. 5‐8‐15

(Recall the Triangle Inequality Theorem, Theorem 38, which states that the longest side in any triangle must be less than
the sum of the two shorter sides.)

a. 34 ? 16+30
34>46 (So these can be the side of a triangle.)
342 ? 162 + 302
1156 ? 256+900
1156 = 1156
This is a right triangle. Because its sides are of different lengths, it is also a scalene triangle.

b. 8 ? 5+5
8<10 (So these can be the sides of a triangle.)
82 ? 52+52
64 ? 25+25
64 > 50
This is an obtuse triangle. Because two of its sides are of equal measure, it is also an isosceles triangle.

c. 15 ? 5+8
15>13 So these cannot be the sides of a triangle.)

d. 5 ? 42 + 42
25 ? 16+16
25 < 32
This is an acute triangle. Because two of its sides are of equal measure, it is also an isosceles triangle.

e. 16 ? 9+122
256 ? 81+144

256 > 225

 This is an obtuse triangle. Because all sides are of different lengths, it is also a scalene triangle.

SPECIAL RIGHT TRIANGLES

Central angles are probably the angles most often associated with a circle, but by no means are they the only ones.
Angles may be inscribed in the circumference of the circle or formed by intersecting chords and other lines.

Isosceles right triangle. An isosceles right triangle has the characteristic of both the isosceles and the right triangles. It
has two equal sides, two equal angles, and one right angle. (The right angle cannot be one of the equal angles or the sum of
the angles would exceed 180°.) Therefore, in Figure 1 , Δ ABC is an isosceles right triangle, and the following must always
be true.

Figure 1. An isosceles right triangle

The ratio of the sides of an isosceles right triangle is always 1 : 1 : √2 or x : x: x√2 (Figure 2 ).

Figure 2. The ratios of the sides of an isosceles right triangle

Example 1: If one of the equal sides of an isosceles right triangle is 3, what are the measures of the other two sides?
Method 1: Using the ratio x : x : x√2 for isosceles right triangles, then x = 3, and the other sides must be 3 and 3√2 .
Method 2. Using the Pythagorean Theorem and the fact that the legs of this right triangle are equal,
leg2 + leg2 = hypotenuse2
32 + 32 = hypotenuse2
9 + 9 = hypotenuse2
18 = hypotenuse2
So hypotenuse = √18
Or hypotenuse = 3√2

The two sides have measures of 3 and 3√2 .

Example 2: If the diagonal of a square is 6√2, find the length of each of its sides.

Method 1: The diagonal of a square divides it into two congruent isosceles right triangles. Look at Figure 3.

Figure 3. A diagonal of a square helps create two congruent isosceles right triangles

The ratio x : x : x√2 for isosceles right triangles can now be applied where x√2 = 6√2 . So x = 6, and each side
of the square has a measure of 6.

Method 2: Use the Pythagorean Theorem. 6√2 represents the hypotenuse.

𝑙𝑒𝑔2 + 𝑙𝑒𝑔2 = ℎ𝑦𝑝𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑢𝑠𝑒 2
 (2)𝑙𝑒𝑔2 = (6√2 )2
(2)𝑙𝑒𝑔2 = (36)(2) )2
(2)𝑙𝑒𝑔2 = 72
𝑙𝑒𝑔2 = 36
𝑙𝑒𝑔2 = 6
Example 3: What are the measurements of x, y, and z in Figure 4?

Figure 4. Finding the unknown parts of this right triangle

Therefore, each side of the square has a measure of 6.

45° + 90° + x° = 180° (The sum of the angles of a triangle = 180°.) x = 45°
Therefore, this is an isosceles right triangle with the ratio of sides x : x : x√2. Because one leg is 10, the other
must also be 10, and the hypotenuse is 10√2, soy = 10 and z = 10√2.
30°− 60°− 90° right triangle. A 30°− 60°− 90° right triangle has a unique ratio of its sides. The ratio of the sides of a
30°−60°−90° right triangle is 1 : √3 : 2 or x : x√3 : 2 x placed as follows.
 The side opposite 30° is the shortest side and is 1 or x (Figure 5).

Figure 5. The ratios of the sides of a 30°−60°−90° triangle

 The side opposite 60° is √3.

 The side opposite 90° is the longest side (hypotenuse) and is 2 or 2x.
Example 4: If the shortest side of a 30°−60°−90° right triangle is 4, what is the measure of the other two sides?
In Figure 6 , x is opposite the 30°. The other two sides are then x√3. (opposite the 60°) and 2x (opposite the 90°).
Because the shortest side is 4, x = 4. Consequently, the other two sides must be 4√3 A and 2(4), or 8.

Figure 6. Using the shortest side of a 30°−60°−90° triangle to find the remaining sides

Example 5: If the longer leg of a 30°−60°−90° right triangle is 8√3, find the length of the hypotenuse. In Figure 7, the
shorter leg, x, is opposite the 30°. x√3 is the longer leg, and it is opposite the 60°. The hypotenuse is 2x. Because x√3 =
8√3, x = 8. Because x = 8, then 2 x = 16. The hypotenuse is 16.

Figure 7. Using the longer leg of a 30°−60°−90° triangle to find the hypotenuse
 ACTIVITY SHEETS
(Module 3 – Week 6 to 7)
A. Answer the ff. (For items 1-4, find the value of x.)
1. Find the lengths of GH and HK. 2.

3. 4.

B. Find the missing length in each triangle below.

C. Answer the following questions using Pythagorean Theorem.

1. Ms. Green tells you that a right triangle has a hypotenuse of 13 and a leg of 5. She asks you to find the other
leg of the triangle. What is your answer?
2. Two joggers run 8 miles north and then 5 miles west. What is the shortest distance, to the nearest tenth of a
mile, they must travel to return to their starting point?
3. A suitcase measures 24 inches long and the diagonal is 30 inches long. How much material is needed to
cover one side of the suitcase?
4. To get from point A to point B you must avoid walking through a pond. To avoid the pond, you must walk
34 meters south and 41 meters east. To the nearest meter, how many meters would be saved if it were
possible to walk through the pond?
5. Oscar's dog house is shaped like a tent. The slanted sides are both 5 feet long and the bottom of the house is
6 feet across. What is the height of his dog house, in feet, at its tallest point?
D. Find the value of x and y in each of the following triangles.