552 QUANTUM CAT

In the adjoining figure G F

12.3 Triangles ∠FCB , ∠CBE , ∠ABD, ∠IAB ,
C
Triangle : A three sided closed plane figure, which is ∠HAC , ∠GCA are the exterior
formed by joining the three non-collinear points, is called as angles of the ∆ABC.
a triangle. It is denoted by the symbol ∆.
Sum of the three interior angles
A
of a triangle is always 180°. H A B E
I D
Exterior angle = Sum of two
interior opposite angles
e.g., ∠CBE = ∠CAB + ∠BCA
Perimeter of triangle is equal to sum of all the three sides
B C i.e., a + b + c
In the above ∆ (triangle) ABC, A, B and C are three Semiperimeter of a triangle is half of the perimeter
vertices, line segments AB , BC and AC are the three sides a +b+c
i.e., s = , a, b, c are the length of three sides of a
of the triangle. ∠A, ∠B and ∠C are the three interior 2
angles of a triangle ABC. triangle.

Types of Triangles
(A) According to interior angles
Types of Triangles Property/Definition Diagram
Acute angle triangle Each of the angle of a triangle is less than 90° B
i.e., a < 90° , b < 90° , c < 90° b

a c
A C
{ ∠a, ∠b, ∠c} < 90°
Right angled triangle One of the angle is equal to 90°, then it is called as right angled A
triangle.
Rest two angles are complementary to each other.

90°
C B
∠C = 90°
Obtuse angle triangle One of the angle is obtuse (i.e., greater than 90°), then it is called A
as obtuse angle triangle.

C B
∠C > 90°

(B) According to the length of sides.

Types of Triangles Property/Definition Diagram
Scalene triangle A triangle in which none of the three sides is equal is called a C
scalene triangle (all the three angles are also different ).

a b

B c A
a≠b≠c
Geometry 553

Isosceles triangle A triangles in which at least two sides are equal is called an A
isosceles triangle.
In this triangle, the angles opposite to the congruent sides are also
equal.

B C
AB = AC, ∠B = ∠C
Equilateral triangle A triangle in which all the three sides are equal called an A
equilateral triangle. In this triangle each angle is congruent and
equal to 60°.

B C
AB = BC = AC
∠A = ∠B = ∠C = 60°

Fundamental Properties of Triangles 6. Cosine rule : In a ∆ABC, if a, b, c be the sides

1. Sum of any two sides is always greater than the third opposite to angle A, B and C respectively, then
side. b2 + c2 − a 2 c2 + a 2 − b2
2. The difference of any two sides is always less than the cos A = , cos B = ,
2bc 2ca
third side.
3. Greater angle has a greater side opposite to it and a 2 + b2 − c2
cos C =
smaller angle has a smaller side opposite to it i.e., if two 2ab
sides of a triangle are not congruent then the angle (These rules have been discussed already in
opposite to the greater side is greater. trigonometry.)
4. Let a, b and c be the three sides of a ∆ABC and c is the 7. The sum of all the three interior angles is always 180°
largest side. Then E
B
C

a c
A
D
C b A B
F

(i) if c 2 < a 2 + b 2 , the triangle is acute angle triangle i.e., ∠CAB + ∠ABC + ∠BCA = 180°
(ii) if c 2 = a 2 + b 2 , the triangle is right angled triangle 8. The sum of three (ordered) exterior angles of a triangle
is 360°
(iii) if c 2 > a 2 + b 2 , the triangle is obtuse angle triangle E
E
5. Sine rule : In a ∆ABC, if a, b, c be the three sides C C
opposite to the angles A, B , C respectively, then
a b c
= = B A
sin A sin B sin C F D
A B
A D F
Fig. (i) Fig. (ii)

In fig. (i) : ( ∠FAC + ∠ECB + ∠DBA ) = 360°

b c
In fig. (ii) : ( ∠FAB + ∠DBC + ∠ECA ) = 360°
9. The sum of an interior angle and its adjacent exterior
C B angle is 180°.
a
554 QUANTUM CAT
10. A triangle must has at least two acute angles.
11. In a triangle, the measure of an exterior angle equals the sum of the measures of the interior opposite angles.
12. The measure of an exterior angle of a triangle is greater than the measure of each of the opposite interior angles.
Important Definitions
Nomenclature Property/Definition Diagram
Altitude (or height) The perpendicular drawn from the opposite vertex of a side in
A
a triangle is called an altitude of the triangle.
l
There are three altitudes in a triangle.

D F
O

B E C
AE, CD and BF are the altitudes
Median The line segment joining the mid-point of a side to the vertex
A
opposite to the side is called a median.
l
There are three medians in a triangle.
l
A median bisects the area of the triangle i.e.,
1 D F
A (∆ABE ) = A (∆AEC) = A (∆ABC) etc.
2 O

B E C
AE, CD and BF are the medians
(BE = CE, AD = BD, AF = CF )
Angle bisector A line segment which originates from a vertex and bisects the A
same angle is called an angle bisector.
 ∠BAE = ∠CAE = 1 ∠BAC etc.
 
 2 
D F

B E C
AE, CD and BF are the angle bisectors.
Perpendicular A line segment which bisects a side perpendicularly (i.e, at A
bisector right angle) is called a perpendicular bisector of a side of
triangle.
l
All points on the perpendicular bisector of a line are
equidistant from the ends of the line. D F
O

B E C
DO, EO and FO are the
perpendicular bisectors.
Orthocentre The point of intersection of the three altitudes of the triangle is A
called the orthocentre.
∠BOC = 180 − ∠A
F
∠COA = 180 − ∠B D
O
∠AOB = 180 − ∠C

B E C
‘O’ is the orthocentre
Geometry 555

Types of Triangles Property/Definition Diagram

Centroid The point of intersection of the three medians of a triangle is A
called the centroid. A centroid divides each median in the ratio
2 : 1 (vertex : base)
AO CO BO 2
= = = D F
OE OD OF 1
O

B E C
‘O’ is the centroid.
Incentre The point of intersection of the angle bisectors of a triangle is A
called the incentre.
Incentre O is the always equidistant from all three sides i.e., the
perpendicular distance between the sides and incentre is always
same for all the three sides. D F

B E C
‘O’ is the incentre.
Circumcentre The point of intersection of the perpendicular bisectors of the A
sides of a triangle is called the circumcentre.
OA = OB = OC = (circum radius)
Circumcentre O is always equidistant from all the three vertices D F
A, B and C.
O

B E C
‘O’ is the circumcentre.

Important Theorems on Triangles

Theorem Statement/Explanation Diagram
Pythagoras The square of the hypotenuse of a right angled triangle is equal A
theorem to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. i.e.,
( AC)2 = ( AB)2 + (BC)2
D
l
The converse of this theorem is also true.
l
The numbers which satisfy this relation, are called
Pythagorean triplets.
e.g., (3, 4, 5), (5, 12, 13), (7, 24, 25), (8, 15, 17), (9, 40, 41),
(11, 60, 61), (12, 35, 37), (16, 63, 65), (20, 21, 29), (28, 45, B C
53), (33, 56, 65 ) ∠B = 90°
Note : All the multiples (or submultiples) of Pythagorean AC → Hypotenuse
triplets also satisfy the relation. e.g.,
AD = CD = BD
(6, 8,10), (15,36, 39), (1.5, 2, 2.5) etc (D is the mid-point of AC)
45° − 45° − 90° If the angles of a triangle are 45°, 45° and 90°, then the A
triangle theorem hypotenuse (i.e., longest side) is 2 times of any smaller side.
Excluding hypotenuse rest two sides are equal. i.e., AB = BC
and AC = 2 AB = 2BC

B C
∠A = 45°, ∠B = 90°, ∠C = 45°
556 QUANTUM CAT
Theorem Statement/Explanation Diagram
30° − 60° − 90° If the angles of a triangle are 30°, 60° and 90°,then the sides A
triangle theorem opposite to 30° angle is half of the hypotenuse and the side
3 60°
opposite to 60° is times the hypotenuse .
2
AC 3
e.g., AB = and BC = AC
2 2
∴ AB : BC : AC = 1 : 3 : 2 90° 30°
B C

Basic Any line parallel to one side of a triangle divides the other two A
proportionality sides proportionally. So if DE is drawn parallel to BC, it would
theorem (BPT) or divide sides AB and AC proportionally i.e.,
Thales theorem AD AE AD AE
= or =
DB EC AB AC D E
AD AB AE AC
= = =
DE BC DE BC
B C

Mid-point theorem If the mid-points of two adjacent sides of a triangle are joined A
by a line segment, then this segment is parallel to the third side.
i.e., if AD = BD and AE = CE, then DE || BC

D E

B C

Apollonius theorem In a triangle, the sum of the squares of any two sides of a A
triangle is equal to twice the sum of the square of the median to
the third side and square of half the third side. i.e.,
AB2 + AC2 = 2 ( AD 2 + BD 2 )

B D C
BD = CD
AD is the median
Interior angle In a triangle the angle bisector of an angle divides the opposite A
bisector theorem side to the angle in the ratio of the remaining two sides. i.e.,
BD AB
= and BD × AC − CD × AB = AD 2
CD AC

B C
D

Exterior angle In a triangle the angle bisector of any exterior angle of a E

bisector theorem triangle divides the side opposite to the external angle in the
BE BC
ratio of the remaining two sides i.e., = A
AE AC

B C D
Geometry 557

Euler’s Theorem for a Let ∆ABC have circumradius R and inradius r. Let d be A
triangle the distance between the circumcentre and the
incenter. Then we have d2 = R(R − 2r ) P
B C
Q
PQ = d

Crossed Ladder Theorem Let the two line segments BC and AD intersect at a B
point F, such that the point E lies on AC and
AB || CD || EF. Then, we have D
1 1 1 F
+ =
AB CD EF

A E C

Mass Point Geometry Let us consider a line AB which is intersected by a m n

point P, such that AP = m and BP = n, we have A P B
wt ( A) n
=
wt (B) m
Therefore, the weight at A will be n, the weight at B m n
will be m and the total weight at P will be (m + n ). (n )A (m+n)P (m)B

Useful Results 4. In a ∆ABC, if BC is produced to D and AE is the angle

bisector of ∠A, then
1. In a ∆ABC, if the bisectors of ∠B and ∠C meet at O,
1 A
then ∠BOC = 90° + ∠A
2
A

B D
C
O

B C
∠ABC + ∠ACD = 2 ∠ AEC .
5. In a ∆ABC, if side BC is produced to D and bisectors
2. In a ∆ABC, if sides AB and AC are produced to D and of ∠ABC and ∠ ACD meet at E, then
E respectively and the bisectors of ∠DBC and ∠ECB E
1
intersect at O, then ∠BOC = 90° − ∠A A
2
A

B D
C
B C 1
∠BEC =
∠BAC
2
D O E 6. In an acute angle ∆ ABC, AD is a perpendicular
3. In a ∆ABC, if AD is the angle bisector of ∠BAC and dropped on the opposite side of ∠A, then
1
AE ⊥ BC , then ∠DAE = ( ∠ABC − ∠ACB ) A
2
A

B D C

AC 2 = AB 2 + BC 2 − 2BD ⋅ BC ( ∠ B < 90° )

B E D C
558 QUANTUM CAT
7. In an obtuse angle ∆ ABC , AD is perpendicular 10. Area of scalene triangle = s ( s − a ) ( s − b) ( s − c)
dropped on BC. BC is produced to D to meet AD, then
A
A

c b

90°
D B C B a C
AC 2 = AB 2 + BC 2 + 2 BD ⋅ BC ( ∠B > 90° ) abc
Also, A ( ∆ ) = r × s =
4R
8. In a right angle ∆ABC, ∠B = 90° and AC is
hypotenuse. The perpendicular BD is dropped on where a, b and c are the sides of the triangle.
a +b+c
hypotenuse AC from right angle vertex B, then s → semiperimeter = , r → inradius
2
A R → circumradius
D 11. Area of right angled triangle
A

B C
AB × BC AB 2
(i) BD = (ii) AD =
AC AC 90°
2 B C
BC 1 1
(iii) CD = = × base × height = × BC × AB (as per the figure)
AC 2 2
1 1 1
(iv) 2
= 2
+ 12. Area of an isosceles triangle =
b
4a 2 − b 2
BD AB BC 2 4
In a right angled triangle, the median to the A
1
hypotenuse = × hypotenuse
2
AC a a
i.e., BN = (as per the fig.)
2
D
A B C
b
AB = AC and ∠B = ∠C
N
∆ABD ≅ ∆ACD (AD → Angle bisector, median,
altitude and perpendicular bisector)
3 2
B C 13. Area of an equilateral triangle = a
9. Area of a triangle (General formula) 4
A
A

a a

D
B D C B C
a
1  1 1 3 3 2
A (∆) = × base × height  A ( ∆ ) = 2 BC × AD = 2 × a × 2 a = 4 a 
2 
1
A ( ∆ ) = × BC × AD (as per the figure.) (a → each side of the triangle)
2
Geometry 559

AD → Altitude, median, angle bisector and 15. The ratio of areas of two triangles of equal heights is
perpendicular bisector also. equal to the ratio of their corresponding bases. i.e.,
1 side B Q
Inradius : × height = ,
3 2 3
OD → Inradius
A h h
A
A D C P S R

A ( ∆ABC ) AC
O =
O
D A ( ∆PQR ) PR
B C
16. The ratio of areas of triangles of equal bases is equal to
B D C
the ratio of their heights.
2 side R
Circumradius = × height = B
3 3
OA → Circumradius
h2
NOTE In equilateral triangle orthocentre centroid, incentre h1
and circumcentre coincide at the same point.
Circumradius = 2 × inradius
A D C P S Q
For the given perimeter of a triangle, the area of equilateral
triangle is maximum.
For the given area of a triangle, the perimeter of equilateral A ( ∆ABC ) BD
i.e., =
triangle is minimum. A ( ∆PQR ) RS
17. The ratio of the areas of two triangles is equal to the
14. In a right angled triangle
ratio of the products of base and its corresponding
AB + BC − AC
(i) Inradius ( r ) = height i.e.,
2 Q
Area B
(ii) Inradius ( r ) =
Semiperimeter
A
F

D O
A D C P S R

B E C
A ( ∆ABC ) AC × BD
=
DO = EO = FO ( r ) A ( ∆PQR ) PR × QS
AC  hypotenuse  18. If the two triangles have the same base and lie between
(iii) Circumradius ( R ) = = 
2  2  the same parallel lines (as shown in figure), then the
A area of two triangles will be equal.
C D
O

B C

A B
AO = CO = BO = ( R )
i.e., A ( ∆ABC ) = A ( ∆ADB )
AC is the diameter.
560 QUANTUM CAT
19. In a triangle AE , CD and BF are the medians, then l The maximum area can be enclosed only when one of the
C vertices of the triangle coincides with one of the vertices
of the square and angle between the side of the triangle
F E and the side of the rectangle at the point of coincidence is
15°.
l Also, the side of the equilateral triangle is 6 − 2.
A D B
1
l Also, the area of ∆ADF = ∆ABE = (∆ECF ).
3 ( AB 2 + BC 2 + AC 2 ) = 4 (CD 2 + BF 2 + AE 2 ) 2
20. In an equilateral triangle, if O is a point anywhere Congruency of triangles
inside the equilateral triangle ABC, the sum of its
distances from three sides is equal to the length of the Two triangles are said to be congruent if they are equal in
altitude of the triangle. That is, as per the given all respects. i.e.,
A P
diagram, OP + OQ + OR = AD .
A

P
Q O
B C Q R

1. Each of the three sides of one triangle must be equal to

B C
R D the three respective sides of the other.
21. The largest possible area of an equilateral triangle 2. Each of the three angles of the one triangle must be
equal to the three respective angles of the other.
inscribed in a unit square is (2 3 − 3).
AB = PQ  ∠A = ∠P 
D F C  
i.e., AC = PR  and ∠B = ∠Q 
BC = QR  ∠C = ∠R 

15°
Tests for congruency
With the help of the following given tests, we can deduce
E without having detailed information about triangles that
whether the given two triangles are congruent or not.
15°
A B

Test Property Diagram

S−S−S (Side–Side–Side) A P
If the three sides of one triangle are equal to the corresponding three
sides of the other triangle, then the two triangles are congruent.
AB ≅ PQ, AC ≅ PR, BC ≅ QR
∴ ∆ABC ≅ ∆PQR B C Q R

S − A− S (Side–Angle–Side) A P
If two sides and the angle included between them are congruent to the
corresponding sides and the angle included between them, of the other
triangle, then the two triangles are congruent.
AB ≅ PQ, ∠ABC ≅ ∠PQR, BC ≅ QR
B C Q R
∴ ∆ABC ≅ ∆PQR
Geometry 561

Test Property Diagram

A− S − A (Angle–Side–Angle) A P
If two angles and the included side of a triangle are congruent to the
corresponding angles and the included side of the other triangle, then the
two triangles are congruent.
∠ABC ≅ ∠PQR, BC ≅ QR, ∠ACB ≅ ∠PRQ
B C Q R
∴ ∆ABC ≅ ∆PQR

A− A− S (Angle–Angle–Side) A P
If two angles and a side other than the included side of a one triangle are
congruent to the corresponding angles and a corresponding side other
than the included side of the other triangle, then the two triangles are
congruent.
B C Q R
∠ABC ≅ ∠PQR, ∠ACB ≅ ∠PRQ
and AC ≅ PR (or AB ≅ PQ)

R—H—S (Right angle–Hypotenuse–Side) A P

If the hypotenuse and one side of the right angled triangle are congruent
to the hypotenuse and a corresponding side of the other right angled
triangle, then the two given triangles are congruent.
AC ≅ PR, ∠B = ∠Q and BC ≅ QR B C Q R
∴ ∆ABC ≅ ∆PQR

Similarity of triangles
Two triangles are said to be similar if the corresponding angles are congruent and their corresponding sides are in proportion.
The symbol for similarity is ‘~’. If ∆ABC ~ ∆PQR , then ∠ABC ≅ ∠ PQR, ∠BCA ≅ ∠QRP, ∠BAC ≅ ∠QPR
Tests for Similarity
Through the tests for similarity we can deduce the similarity of triangles with minimum required information.
Test Property/Definition Diagram
A− A Angle-Angle P
A
If the two angles of one triangle are congruent to the corresponding two
angles of the other triangle, then the two triangles are said to be similar.
∠ABC ≅ ∠ PQR
∠ACB ≅ ∠PRQ B C Q R
∴ ∆ABC ~ ∆PQR
S-A-S Side-Angle-Side A P
If the two sides of one triangle are proportional to the corresponding two
sides of the other triangle and the angle included by them are congruent,
AB BC
then the two triangles are similar. i.e., = and
PQ QR
B C Q R
∠ABC = ∠PQR
∴ ∆ABC ~ ∆PQR. AB BC
= = K (K is any constant )
PQ QR
S-S-S Side-Side-Side A P
If the three sides of one triangle are proportional to the corresponding
three sides of the other triangle, then the two triangles are similar. i.e.,
AB BC AC
= =
PQ QR PR B C Q R
∴ ∆ABC ~ ∆PQR AB BC AC
= = =K
PQ QR PR

NOTE When the corresponding sides are in proportion , then the corresponding angles are in proportion.
562 QUANTUM CAT
Properties of Similar Triangles 2. Ratio of areas = Ratio of squares of corresponding sides.
If the two triangles are similar, then for the
i.e., if ∆ABC ~ ∆PQR , then
proportional/corresponding sides we have the
A ( ∆ABC ) ( AB ) 2 ( BC ) 2 ( AC ) 2
following results. = = =
A ( ∆PQR ) ( PQ ) 2 (QR ) 2 ( PR ) 2
P
A NOTE Rule 1 can also apply with rule 2.
3. In a right angled triangle, the triangles on each side of
D F S U the altitude drawn from the vertex of the right angle to
the hypotenuse are similar to the original triangle and
M N
B E Q
to each other too. i.e., ∆ BCA ~ ∆ BDC ~ ∆ CDA.
C T R
1. Ratio of sides = Ratio of heights (altitudes) B
= Ratio of medians
= Ratio of angle bisectors D
= Ratio of inradii
= Ratio of circumradii
C A

Introductory Exercise 12.2

1. In a triangle ABC, if AB, BC and AC are the three 5. In a ∆ABC, ∠BAC > 90 °, then ∠ABC and ∠ACB
sides of the triangle, then which of the statements is must be :
A
necessarily true?
(a) AB + BC < AC (b) AB + BC > AC
(c) AB + BC = AC (d) AB2 + BC2 = AC2
2. The sides of a triangle are 12 cm, 8 cm and 6 cm
respectively, the triangle is : B C
(a) acute (b) obtuse
(a) acute
(c) right (d) can’t be determined
(b) obtuse
3. If the sides of a triangle are produced then the sum (c) one acute and one obtuse
of the exterior angles i.e, (d) can’t be determined
∠DAB + ∠EBC + ∠FCA is equal to : 6. If the angles of a triangle are in the ratio 1 : 4 : 7 ,
F
C then the value of the largest angle is :
(a) 135°
(b) 84°
A E (c) 105°
B (d) none of the above
D
(a) 180° (b) 270° (c) 360° (d) 240° 7. In the adjoining figure ∠B = 70 ° and ∠C = 30 °. BO

4. In the given figure BC is produced to D and and CO are the angle bisectors of ∠ABC and ∠ACB.
∠BAC = 40 ° and ∠ABC = 70 °. Find the value of ∠ACD. Find the value of ∠BOC.
A A

B C D B C
(a) 30° (b) 40° (a) 30° (b) 40°
(c) 70° (d) 110° (c) 120° (d) 130°