OmegaLearn.org Chapter 32.

Special Triangles

32.1 Equilateral Triangle

Theorem 32.1.1
If the side length of an equilateral triangle is a
√
3
Height of the triangle = a
2

This follows directly from the 30 − 60 − 90 triangle.

√
3 2
Area of the equilateral triangle = a
4

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32.2 Right Triangles

Theorem 32.2.1 (Pythagorean Theorem)

A right triangle with legs a and b and hypotenuse c satisfies the following relation:

c 2 = a2 + b 2

a c

C b A

Fact 32.2.2. Important Pythagorean Triples

3, 4, 5
5, 12, 13
7, 24, 25
8, 15, 17
9, 40, 41
20, 21, 29

If all numbers in a pythagorean triple are multiplied by a constant, the resulting num-
bers still form a pythagorean triple.

For example: These are all pythagorean triples:

3, 4, 5
6, 8, 10
9, 12, 15
12, 16, 20
15, 20, 25

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Example 32.1 (AMC 10/12)

Let △XOY be a right-angled triangle with m∠XOY = 90◦ . Let M and N be the
midpoints of legs OX and OY , respectively. Given that XN = 19 and Y M = 22, find
XY .

Video Solution

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32.2.1 45-45-90 Triangle

Theorem 32.2.3
If the side length of a 45-45-90 triangle is a
√ √
hypotenuse of the triangle = 2 × side length = 2a

1 1
Area of the triangle = × side length2 = a2
2 2

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32.2.2 30-60-90 Triangle

Theorem 32.2.4
If the short leg length of a 30-60-90 triangle is a
√ √
Long Leg of the triangle = 3 × short leg = 3a

hypotenuse of the triangle = 2 × short leg = 2a

√ √
3 3 2
Area = × short leg2 = a
2 2

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Example 32.2 (AIME)

In triangle ABC, angles A and B measure 60 degrees and 45 degrees, respectively. The
bisector of angle A intersects
√ BC at T , and AT = 24. The area of triangle ABC can be
written in the form a + b c, where a, b, and c are positive integers, and c is not divisible
by the square of any prime. Find a + b + c.

24

30◦
30◦ 45◦
A D B

Video Solution

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32.2.3 13-14-15 Triangle

Theorem 32.2.5
If the three sides of a triangle are 13, 14, and 15, it can be divided into two right triangles
with side lengths:
5, 12, 13 and 9, 12, 15
Area of this triangle = 12 × 14 × 12 = 84

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32.3 Practice Problems

Problem 32.3.1 (AMC 10)

Let ABC be an equilateral triangle. Extend side AB beyond B to a point B ′ so that

BB ′ = 3 · AB. Similarly, extend side BC beyond C to a point C ′ so that CC ′ = 3 · BC,
and extend side CA beyond A to a point A′ so that AA′ = 3 · CA. What is the ratio of
the area of △A′ B ′ C ′ to the area of △ABC?

Video Solution

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Problem 32.3.2 (AMC 10)

Triangle ABC has a right angle at B, AB = 1, and BC = 2. The bisector of ∠BAC

meets BC at D. What is BD?

B D C

Video Solution

Additional Problems
Problem 32.3.3 (AIME)

In quadrilateral ABCD, ∠B is a right angle, diagonal AC is perpendicular to CD,

AB = 18, BC = 21, and CD = 14. Find the perimeter of ABCD.

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B

A C

Problem 32.3.4 (AMC 10)

In rectangle ABCD, AB = 20 and BC = 10. Let E be a point on CD such that

∠CBE = 15◦ . What is AE?

Problem 32.3.5 (AMC 12)

How many non-congruent right triangles with positive integer leg lengths have areas that
are numerically equal to 3 times their perimeters?

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Problem 32.3.6 (AMC 10)

Points A, B, C and D lie on a line, in that order, with AB = CD and BC = 12.

Point E is not on the line, and BE = CE = 10. The perimeter of △AED is twice the
perimeter of △BEC. Find AB.

Problem 32.3.7 (AMC 10)

A large equilateral triangle is constructed by using toothpicks to create rows of small

equilateral triangles. For example, in the figure, we have 3 rows of small congruent
equilateral triangles, with 5 small triangles in the base row. How many toothpicks would
be needed to construct a large equilateral triangle if the base row of the triangle consists
of 2003 small equilateral triangles?

2 4
1 3 5

Problem 32.3.8 (AMC 12)

Let A0 = (0, 0). Distinct √

points A1 , A2 , . . . lie on the x-axis, and distinct points B1 , B2 , . . .
lie on the graph of y = x. For every positive integer n, An−1 Bn An is an equilateral
triangle. What is the least n for which the length A0 An ≥ 100?

Problem 32.3.9 (AMC 10)

Suppose that △ABC is an equilateral triangle of side length s, with the property
√
that there is a unique point P inside the triangle such that AP = 1, BP = 3, and
CP = 2. What is s?

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Answers
32.1 26

32.2 291

32.3.1 37 : 1
√
5−1
32.3.2 2

32.3.3 084

32.3.4 20

32.3.5 6

32.3.6 9

32.3.7 1, 507, 509

32.3.8 17
√
32.3.9 7

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