• Unit 4: Triangle Relationships

    In this unit, we will explore triangulation, midsegments, and bisected lengths of triangles. City planners and building designers regularly need to calculate the circumcenter of a triangle, which is the point in the middle of the triangle that is equally distant from all three sides. For example, they may need to calculate whether the location of a new parking garage is the same distance from three or more companies, or whether a city monument is exactly in the middle of a plaza. Construction workers use the midsegment of a triangle to help strengthen roof trusses.

    Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

    • Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

      • calculate the length of a midsegment;
      • use theorems to calculate missing lengths of a triangle;
      • calculate the measure of a bisected angle; and
      • determine if a given set of lengths makes a triangle.

    • 4.1: Midsegment Theorem

      The first property of a triangle we explore is the midsegment theorem. A midsegment is a line that connects two midpoints of the sides of a triangle. The midsegment theorem states that a midsegment must be parallel to the third side of the triangle, and the midsegment must be half the length of the third side of the triangle.

      • Midsegment Theorem URL

        Read this article and watch the videos. Pay attention to the definitions of midsegment, the midsegment theorem, and how to calculate the length of a midsegment. Review examples 1–5 to see how to use the midsegment theorem to solve for unknown quantities in triangles.

        Then, complete review questions 5, 6, 9, 10, and 16, and check your answers.

    • 4.2: Perpendicular Bisectors

      Now, let's review perpendicular bisectors. A bisector is a line that cuts through the midpoint of a line segment. A perpendicular bisector is a line that bisects a segment and is perpendicular to that segment. Perpendicular bisectors have a special use in creating triangles.

      • Perpendicular Bisectors URL

        Read this article and watch the videos. Pay close attention to the definition of a perpendicular bisector and the perpendicular bisector theorem, which tells us how to make a triangle out of a line segment and a perpendicular bisector. Read examples 1–5.

        Then, complete review questions 1–3 and check your answers.

    • 4.3: Angle Bisectors

      An angle bisector cuts angles exactly in half. We can use an angle bisector to create two identical triangles within the original angle.

      • Angle Bisectors URL

        Read this article and watch the videos. Pay attention to the angle bisector theorem, which states that any point on an angle bisector is equidistant to both sides of the angle. This allows us to create two identical triangles on either side of the angle bisector. Closely read examples 1–3.

        Then, complete review questions 1–3 and check your answers.

    • 4.4: Medians

      The next property of triangles we explore is the median of a triangle. The median of a triangle is a segment that joins the vertex of the triangle to the midpoint of the opposite side.

    • 4.5: Altitudes

      The last important property of triangles we explore is the altitude of a triangle. The altitude of a triangle is a line segment that runs perpendicular from the vertex of the triangle to the opposite side of the triangle. Depending on the type of triangle (acute, right, or obtuse), the altitude may exist outside of the triangle, on a side of the triangle, or inside the triangle.

      • Altitudes URL

        Read this article and watch the videos. Pay attention to the figures that show how to draw altitudes for acute, right, and obtuse triangles. Carefully read examples 1–5, which describe how to draw altitudes for different types of triangles.

    • 4.6: Triangle Inequality Theorem

      The triangle inequality theorem states that the sum of the lengths of two sides of a triangle must be greater than the length of the third side of the triangle. This allows us to determine if a triangle can be formed from objects of three given lengths.