A Tale of Three Intersecting Lines | FIO

Question 17

Construct a triangle TRY with RY = 4 cm, TR = 7 cm, ∠R = 140°. Construct an altitude from T to RY.

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Solution

We will first draw the triangle using the given measurements. Then we will construct a perpendicular line from vertex T to the line containing side RY.

Step 1 — Constructing Triangle TRY

Draw a straight line. Mark a point R on this line. From R, measure 4 cm along the line. Mark point Y. So, the side RY is 4 cm long. Place the protractor at point R. Align the baseline with RY. Measure an angle of 140°. Draw a ray from R through this mark. Along this ray, measure 7 cm from R. Mark point T. So, the side TR is 7 cm long. Join point T to point Y with a straight line. Triangle TRY is now constructed.

Diagram 1

Step 2 — Constructing the Altitude from T to RY

An altitude is a line segment. It goes from a vertex to the opposite side. It must be perpendicular to that side. Here, we need the altitude from T to RY. Extend the line segment RY. Extend it past point R. Place the compass point at T. Open the compass wide enough. Draw an arc that cuts the extended line RY at two points. Let us call these points A and B. Now, place the compass point at A. Draw an arc below the line RY. Keep the same compass width. Place the compass point at B. Draw another arc. This arc should intersect the first arc. Let us call the intersection point P. Draw a straight line from T to P. This line is perpendicular to the extended line RY. The point where TP meets the extended line RY is the foot of the altitude. Let us call this point M. So, TM is the altitude from T to RY.

Diagram 2

Answer

The triangle TRY and its altitude from T to RY are constructed as shown in the diagram.

More questions in FIO

Q1

Use the points on the circle and/or the centre to form isosceles triangles.

Q2

Use the points on the circles and/or their centres to form isosceles and equilateral triangles. The circles are of the same size.

Q3

We checked by construction that there are no triangles having sidelengths 3 cm, 4 cm and 8 cm; and 2 cm, 3 cm and 6 cm. Check if you could have found this without trying to construct the triangle.

Q4

Can we say anything about the existence of a triangle for each of the following sets of lengths?

(a) 10 km, 10 km and 25 km (b) 5 mm, 10 mm and 20 mm (c) 12 cm, 20 cm and 40 cm

Q5

Which of the following lengths can be the sidelengths of a triangle? Explain your answers. Note that for each set, the three lengths have the same unit of measure.

(a) 2, 2, 5 (b) 3, 4, 6 (c) 2, 4, 8 (d) 5, 5, 8 (e) 10, 20, 25 (f) 10, 20, 35 (g) 24, 26, 28

Q6

Check if a triangle exists for each of the following set of lengths:

(a) 1, 100, 100

(b) 3, 6, 9

(c) 1, 1, 5

(d) 5, 10, 12

Q7

Does there exist an equilateral triangle with sides 50, 50, 50? In general, does there exist an equilateral triangle of any sidelength? Justify your answer.

Q8

For each of the following, give at least 5 possible values for the third length so there exists a triangle having these as sidelengths (decimal values could also be chosen):

(a) 1, 100

(b) 5, 5

(c) 3, 7

See if you can describe all possible lengths of the third side in each case, so that a triangle exists with those sidelengths. For example, in case (a), all numbers strictly between 99 and 101 would be possible.

Q9

Construct triangles for the following measurements where the angle is included between the sides:

(a) 3 cm, 75°, 7 cm

(b) 6 cm, 25°, 3 cm

(c) 3 cm, 120°, 8 cm

Q10

Construct triangles for the following measurements:

(a) 75°, 5 cm, 75°

(b) 25°, 3 cm, 60°

(c) 120°, 6 cm, 30°

Q11

For each of the following angles, find another angle for which a triangle is (a) possible, (b) not possible. Find at least two different angles for each category:

(a) 3030^\circ

(b) 7070^\circ

(c) 5454^\circ

(d) 144144^\circ

Q12

Determine which of the following pairs can be the angles of a triangle and which cannot:

(a) 35°, 150°

(b) 70°, 30°

(c) 90°, 85°

(d) 50°, 150°

Q13

Find the third angle of a triangle (using a parallel line) when two of the angles are:

(a) 36,7236^\circ, 72^\circ

(b) 150,15150^\circ, 15^\circ

(c) 90,3090^\circ, 30^\circ

(d) 75,4575^\circ, 45^\circ

Q14

Can you construct a triangle all of whose angles are equal to 7070^\circ? If two of the angles are 7070^\circ what would the third angle be? If all the angles in a triangle have to be equal, then what must its measure be? Explore and find out.

Q15

Here is a triangle in which we know B=C\angle B = \angle C and A=50\angle A = 50^\circ. Can you find B\angle B and C\angle C?

Q16

Construct a triangle ABC with BC = 5 cm, AB = 6 cm, CA = 5 cm. Construct an altitude from A to BC.

Q17

Construct a triangle TRY with RY = 4 cm, TR = 7 cm, ∠R = 140°. Construct an altitude from T to RY.

Q18

Construct a right-angled triangle Δ\DeltaABC with \angleB = 90°, AC = 5 cm. How many different triangles exist with these measurements?

[Hint: Note that the other measurements can take any values. Take AC as the base. What values can \angleA and \angleC take so that the other angle is 90°?]

Q19

Through construction, explore if it is possible to construct an equilateral triangle that is: (i) right-angled (ii) obtuse-angled.

Also construct an isosceles triangle that is: (i) right-angled (ii) obtuse-angled.

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