SOLID MENSURATION:

UNDERSTANDING THE 3D SPACE

CRIS ANGELO P. SALONGA. LPT

 Lesson 2
Triangles

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Cris Angelo P. Salonga, LPT

Objectives:

1. Define a triangle.
2. Classify a triangle based on the measurement of
side and/or angles.
3. Solve for the area of a triangle.

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Cris Angelo P. Salonga, LPT

 Triangles

The most fundamental subset of polygons is the set of triangles. Although triangles
are polygons with the least number of sides, these polygons are widely used in the
field of mathematics and engineering. In this section, some important formulas
which are used extensively in solving geometric problems will be introduced.

Classification of Triangles According to Sides

1. Equilateral – a triangle with three congruent sides and three congruent

angles. Each angle measures 60˚.
2. Isosceles – a triangle with two congruent sides and two congruent angles.
3. Scalene – a triangle with no congruent sides and no congruent angles.

60°

60° 60° θ θ

Equilateral Isosceles Scalene

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart

Classifications of Triangles According to Angles

1. Right – a triangle with a right angle (90˚ angle).

2. Oblique – a triangle with no right angle.
a) Acute – a triangle with three acute angles (less than 90˚)
b) Equiangular – a triangle with three congruent angles. Each angle
measures 60˚.
c) Obtuse – a triangle with one obtuse angle (more than 90˚ but less than
180˚

Congruent Triangles

The word congruent is derived from the Latin word congruere which means
agree. Two triangles are congruent when they have the same shape and size.
Congruent triangles can be made to coincide part by part. Corresponding parts of
congruent triangles are congruent. The symbol for congruence is ≅

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart

Similar Triangles

Two triangles are similar if their corresponding sides are proportional. Similar
triangles have the same shape but differ in size. Look at the similar triangles
below.

a1 a2 c2
c1

b2
b1

Since the two triangles are similar, then the relations that exist between two
similar polygons also hold. Thus, it follows that:
𝑎1
a) = 𝑏1 = 𝑐1
𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑐1
2 2
𝐴1 𝑐1 2
b) = 𝑎1 = 𝑏1
=
𝐴2 𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑐2
𝑃1
c) = 𝑎 1 = 𝑏1 = 𝑐1
𝑃2 𝑎2 𝑏2 𝑐1

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart

 Parts of a Triangle

A triangle has three possible bases and three possible vertices. Any of the three
sides of a triangle may be considered as the base of the triangle. The angle
opposite the base is called vertex angle. The two angles adjacent to the base are
called base angles.

A line segment drawn from a vertex perpendicular to the opposite side is called
altitude. The point of intersection of the altitudes of a triangle is called
orthocenter. A median of a triangle is the line segment connecting the
midpoint of a side and the opposite vertex. The centroid is the point of
intersection of the medians of a triangle. An angle bisector divides an angle of
the triangle into two congruent angles and has endpoints on a vertex and the
opposite side. The point of intersection of the angle bisectors of a triangle is
called incenter. A

A/2 A/2

Incenter
Orthocenter Centroid

B/2 C/2
C/2
B B/2 C
Altitudes Angle Bisectors
Medians
Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart
A perpendicular bisector of a side of a triangle divides the side into two
congruent segments and is perpendicular to the side. The circumcenter is the
point of intersection of the perpendicular bisectors of the sides of a triangle. The
Euler line is the line which contains the orthocenter, centroid, and circumcenter of a
triangle. The centroid is located between the orthocenter and the circumcenter.
However, in an equilateral triangle, the centroid, circumcenter, incircle, and
orthocenter are coincident.

Orthocenter
Centroid
Circumcenter
Circumcenter

Euler Line
Perpendicular Bisectors

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart

Properties of Triangle Centers

1. Orthocenter – The orthocenter is not always in the interior of the triangle. In

an obtuse triangle, the two sides of the obtuse angle and the corresponding
altitudes are extended to meet at a point outside the triangle. In a right triangle,
the orthocenter is on a vertex of the triangle.
2. Centroid – The centroid is known as the center of mass of the triangle. Unlike
the orthocenter, the centroid is always inside the triangle and for right, isosceles
and equilateral triangles, the centroid is located one-third of the altitude from
the base.
3. Incenter – The incenter is the center of the largest circle that can be inscribed
in the triangle.
4. Circumcenter – The circumcenter is the center of the circle circumscribing a
triangle. It is not always inside the triangle. The vertices of the triangle lie on
the circle and are equidistant from the circumcenter.

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart

Altitude, Median, and Angle Bisector Formulas

Consider an arbitrary triangle with sides a, b, and c, and angles A, B, and C/ Let hc,
mc and Ic be the lengths of the altitude, median, and angle bisector from vertex C,
respectively. Then,

( )()+,)()+.)()+')
Altitude: ℎ' = ,
'

Where s is the semi-perimeter of the triangle and 𝑠 = 𝑎+𝑏+𝑐,

2

Median: 1
𝑚' = 2𝑎( + 2𝑏 ( − 𝑐 (
2

Angle Bisector: 𝑎𝑏 𝑎 + 𝑏 ( − 𝑐 (
𝐼' =
𝑎+𝑏

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart

Facts About Triangles

1. The sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle is always greater than the
third side. The difference between the lengths of any two sides is always less the
third side of a triangle.
2. The sum of the measures of the interior angles of a triangle is 180˚.
3. Two equiangular triangles are similar.
4. Two triangles are similar if their corresponding sides are parallel. Two triangles
are similar if their corresponding sides are perpendicular.
5. In any right triangle, the longest side opposite the right angle is called
hypotenuse.
6. If any two sides of a right triangle are given, the third side can be obtained by the
Pythagorean Theorem c2=a2+b2.
7. Two triangles are equal if the measures of the two sides and the included angle
of one triangle are equal to the measures of the two sides and the included angle
of the other triangle.
8. The line segment which joins the midpoints of two sides of a triangle is parallel
to the third side and equal to one-half the length of the third side.
9. In any triangle, the longest side is opposite the largest angle, and the shortest
side is opposite the smallest angle.

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart

 x

10. The altitude h to the hypotenuse c of a right

h
triangle divides the triangle into two similar c-x
triangles. Each of the triangles formed by this
altitude is similar to the original triangle.

11. Each leg of a right triangle is the geometric

mean between the hypotenuse and the
projection of the leg on the hypotenuse.
a

p
c

𝑎 = 𝑐𝑝

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart

Formulas for the Area of the Triangle

In general, the area of any triangle is one-half the product of its base and
its altitude.
1
𝐴= 𝑏h
2

To solve for the area of a triangle given the measures of two sides and an
included angle, use the SAS formula.
SAS (Side-Angle-Side) Formula

a
1
𝐴 = 2 𝑎𝑏 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝜃
b

The area of a triangle is one-half the product of any two sides and
the sine of their included angle.

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart

 When the measure of the three sides of a triangle are given, the area of the
triangle is determined by Heron’s Formula.

Heron’s Formula or SSS (Three Sides) Formula:

𝐴= 𝑠(𝑠 − 𝑎)(𝑠 − 𝑏)(𝑠 − 𝑐), c a

A C
b

𝑎+𝑏+𝑐
Where 𝑠 = 2
is called the semi-perimeter.

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart

Example 4

The measures of the three sides of a triangle are AB = 30 in., AC = 50 in., and BC =
60in.. From a point D on side AB, a line DE is drawn through a point E on side AC
such that angle AED is equal to angle ABC. If the perimeter of the triangle ADE is
equal to 56 in., find the sum of the lengths of line segments BD and CE.

Solution:

Draw the figure and label the parts with the given measures.

D 60
30

𝜃
A E C
50

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart

 The perimeter of triangle ABC is P = 30 + 60 + 50 = 140 in. Notice that
triangle ABC and triangle ADE are similar triangles since ABC ≅ AED and BAC ≅
DAE. Thus, the ratio of their perimeters is equal to the ratio of any of their
corresponding sides.

56 𝐴𝐷
= → 𝐴𝐷 = 20
140 50

56 𝐴𝐸
= → 𝐴𝐸 = 12
140 30

𝐵𝐷 = 30 − 𝐴𝐷 𝐸𝐶 = 50 − 𝐴𝐸
= 30 − 20 = 50 − 12
= 10 = 38

Hence, BD + EC = 10 + 38 = 48 in.

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart

Example 5
Derive formulas for the height and area of an equilateral triangle with
side s.
Solution:
In an equilateral triangle, the altitude divides the triangle into two
congruent right triangles. Thus, by the Pythagorean Theorem,
𝑠 2
h= 𝑠2 −
2 s
h

3
= 𝑠 60˚
𝑠
2
2
Since each interior angle measures 60°, use the SAS formula to find the
area of the triangle.
1
𝐴 = 2 𝑠 2 sin 60°
1 2 3
= 𝑠
2 2
3 2
= 𝑠
4

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart

Example 6
If one side of a triangle is 20 units and the perimeter is 72 units, what is
the maximum area that the triangle can have?

Solution:
Imagine the side of the length 20 units as the base of the triangle. Thus,
the sum of the lengths of the other two sides is P – 20 = 52 units. Since the area of
the triangle is maximum when the height is also maximum, the triangle is isosceles
and the two sides measure 26 units each. By Pythagorean Theorem,

h= 262 − 102 = 24

Hence, the area is

1 26
h
26
𝐴 = 𝑏h
2
= 1 20 24
2 10
10
= 240 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart

Example 7
Derive the formula for the median of triangle ABC drawn from vertex C to
side AB using the Cosine Law.
Solution: C
Draw and label the triangle.
by the Cosine Law, you get: b a
m

𝑎2 = 𝑏2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑏𝑐 cos 𝐴 A 𝑐 𝑐 B
𝑏2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑐 2 − 2𝑎𝑐 cos 𝐵 2 2

Adding the two equations yields the identity

𝑐 = 𝑎 cos 𝐵 + 𝑏 cos 𝐴 (1)
Apply the Cosine Law to each of the triangles formed by the median to get:
𝑐 2 𝑐
2
𝑚 =𝑏 + 2 − 2𝑏 cos 𝐴
2 2
𝑐2
𝑏 2 + 4 ; 𝑚2
cos 𝐴 = (2)
𝑏𝑐
2 𝑐
𝑐
𝑚2 = 𝑎2 + − 2𝑎 2
cos 𝐵
2
𝑐2
𝑎 2 + 4 ; 𝑚2
cos 𝐵 = 𝑎𝑐
(3)

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart

Substituting equations 2 and 3 in equation 1 yields

𝑐2 𝑐2
𝑎 2 + 4 ; 𝑚2 𝑏 2 + 4 ; 𝑚2
𝑐=𝑎 +𝑏
𝑎𝑐 𝑏𝑐

Solving for m, you get

𝑚 = 1 2𝑎2 + 2𝑏2 − 𝑐2
2

Solid Mensuration: Understanding the 3D Space Richard T. Eanhart