Special Right Triangles

Section 9.4

Daily Homework Quiz

Solve. Assume all variables are positive. Put in simplest radical form.

1. 2.

3.

c2 = 62 + 62 c2 42 = 42 a2 + 82 = 256

6 2 4 2 8 3

Aim
How do I find the side lengths of special right triangles? Check over Homework from Section 9.3.

45-45-90 Triangle Theorem

In a 45-45-90 triangle, the hypotenuse is 2 times as long as each leg.

45
hypotenuse = leg 2
x

x 2 45
x

30-60-90 Triangle Theorem

In a 30-60-90 triangle, the hypotenuse is twice as long as the shorter leg, and the longer leg is 3 times as long as the shorter leg.

hypotenuse = 2 shorter leg

60

2x 30 x 3

longer leg = shorter leg 3

Example 1

Find the value of x.

3 45 x

hypotenuse = leg

x=3 2

Checkpoint 1
x

Find the value of x.

45 5 5

hypotenuse = leg
x=5 2

Example 2

Find the value of x.

hypotenuse = leg
5=x 2

2
2 2 5 2 =x

5 2
5

x 2 2

5 2 =x 2

=x

Checkpoint 2
x

Find the value of x.

12

hypotenuse = leg
12 = x 2

2 12 =x 2 2
12 2 =x 2

12 2

x 2 2

12 2

x=6 2

=x

Checkpoint 3

t 30 5

60 s

Find the values of s and t.

3

longer leg = shorter leg

5=s 3
5 3 =s

hypotenuse = 2 shorter leg

t=2

5 3 3

5 3 s= 3

10 3 t= 3

Checkpoint 4
f

60

g 30 18

Find the values of f and g.

3

longer leg = shorter leg

hypotenuse = 2 shorter leg

18 = f 3
18 3 =f

g=26 3
g=12 3

18 3 f= 3

f=6 3

Summarizer

Can the side lengths of a 45-45-90 triangle form a Pythagorean Triple?

No. The hypotenuse is 2 times the length of the leg. Therefore no triple of three integers can be formed.

Geometry Tech
Aim: Know and apply that the volume of a prism is the product of the area of the base and the altitude. Complete #1-4 in the front, and #1-6 in the back providing work or an explanation for each problem. Turn in at the end of the period. Pass out papers. HAPPY FRIDAY!