Introduction
In Year 7 Maths, students learn to classify triangles based on their sides and angles. Triangles are one of the basic shapes in geometry, and understanding the different types of triangles helps students solve problems involving angles, areas, and perimeters. Triangles can be classified by their side lengths and angles, and this classification helps distinguish between the various types of triangles.
Types of Triangles
1. Classification by Sides:
- Equilateral Triangle: All three sides are equal, and all three angles are equal (60^\circeach).
- Isosceles Triangle: Two sides are equal, and the angles opposite these sides are equal.
- Scalene Triangle: All three sides and angles are different.
2. Classification by Angles:
- Acute Triangle: All three angles are less than 90^\circ.
- Right-Angled Triangle: One of the angles is exactly 90^\circ.
- Obtuse Triangle: One of the angles is greater than 90^\circ.
Understanding these classifications is key to solving a variety of triangle-related problems in mathematics.
Classifying Triangles: Questions
Level 1: Easy
Identify the type of triangle by its sides:
- A triangle with sides of 5 cm, 5 cm, and 5 cm.
- A triangle with sides of 6 cm, 6 cm, and 8 cm.
- A triangle with sides of 4 cm, 5 cm, and 6 cm.
- A triangle with sides of 7 cm, 7 cm, and 7 cm.
- A triangle with sides of 3 cm, 4 cm, and 5 cm.
- A triangle with sides of 8 cm, 6 cm, and 8 cm.
- A triangle with sides of 10 cm, 12 cm, and 15 cm.
- A triangle with sides of 9 cm, 9 cm, and 9 cm.
- A triangle with sides of 2 cm, 3 cm, and 4 cm.
- A triangle with sides of 7 cm, 10 cm, and 12 cm.
Identify the type of triangle by its angles:
- A triangle with angles of 60^\circ, 60^\circ, and 60^\circ.
- A triangle with angles of 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ.
- A triangle with angles of 100^\circ, 40^\circ, and 40^\circ.
- A triangle with angles of 50^\circ, 50^\circ, and 80^\circ.
- A triangle with angles of 70^\circ, 50^\circ, and 60^\circ.
- A triangle with angles of 90^\circ, 30^\circ, and 60^\circ.
- A triangle with angles of 120^\circ, 30^\circ, and 30^\circ.
- A triangle with angles of 85^\circ, 45^\circ, and 50^\circ.
- A triangle with angles of 75^\circ, 60^\circ, and 45^\circ.
- A triangle with angles of 110^\circ, 35^\circ, and 35^\circ.
Level 2: Medium
Classify the following triangles by their sides and angles:
- A triangle with sides of 5 cm, 5 cm, and 5 cm and angles of 60^\circeach.
- A triangle with sides of 7 cm, 5 cm, and 5 cm and angles of 40^\circ, 70^\circ, and 70^\circ.
- A triangle with sides of 4 cm, 4 cm, and 6 cm and angles of 50^\circ, 50^\circ, and 80^\circ.
- A triangle with sides of 9 cm, 7 cm, and 5 cm and angles of 40^\circ, 50^\circ, and 90^\circ.
- A triangle with sides of 3 cm, 3 cm, and 4 cm and angles of 60^\circ, 60^\circ, and 60^\circ.
- A triangle with sides of 6 cm, 8 cm, and 10 cm and angles of 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ.
- A triangle with sides of 6 cm, 6 cm, and 8 cm and angles of 60^\circ, 60^\circ, and 60^\circ.
- A triangle with sides of 9 cm, 7 cm, and 7 cm and angles of 60^\circ, 70^\circ, and 50^\circ.
- A triangle with sides of 10 cm, 12 cm, and 15 cm and angles of 90^\circ, 30^\circ, and 60^\circ.
- A triangle with sides of 5 cm, 5 cm, and 8 cm and angles of 50^\circ, 65^\circ, and 65^\circ.
Level 3: Hard
For each triangle, classify by its sides and angles:
- Sides: 12 cm, 12 cm, 12 cm; angles: 60^\circeach.
- Sides: 6 cm, 8 cm, 10 cm; angles: 90^\circ, 30^\circ, and 60^\circ.
- Sides: 9 cm, 12 cm, 15 cm; angles: 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ.
- Sides: 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm; angles: 70^\circ, 50^\circ, and 60^\circ.
- Sides: 10 cm, 10 cm, 14 cm; angles: 100^\circ, 40^\circ, and 40^\circ.
- Sides: 7 cm, 7 cm, 9 cm; angles: 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ.
- Sides: 11 cm, 11 cm, 15 cm; angles: 110^\circ, 35^\circ, and 35^\circ.
- Sides: 8 cm, 10 cm, 12 cm; angles: 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ.
- Sides: 6 cm, 6 cm, 8 cm; angles: 80^\circ, 60^\circ, and 40^\circ.
- Sides: 5 cm, 8 cm, 10 cm; angles: 90^\circ, 30^\circ, and 60^\circ.
Identify whether these triangles are scalene, isosceles, or equilateral and if they are acute, right-angled, or obtuse:
- Sides: 15 cm, 12 cm, 9 cm; angles: 90^\circ, 60^\circ, and 30^\circ.
- Sides: 9 cm, 9 cm, 9 cm; angles: 60^\circeach.
- Sides: 6 cm, 6 cm, 8 cm; angles: 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ.
- Sides: 7 cm, 7 cm, 7 cm; angles: 60^\circeach.
- Sides: 8 cm, 10 cm, 12 cm; angles: 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ.
- Sides: 5 cm, 5 cm, 8 cm; angles: 50^\circ, 65^\circ, and 65^\circ.
- Sides: 7 cm, 10 cm, 12 cm; angles: 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ.
- Sides: 6 cm, 6 cm, 6 cm; angles: 60^\circeach.
- Sides: 10 cm, 14 cm, 12 cm; angles: 90^\circ, 30^\circ, and 60^\circ.
- Sides: 8 cm, 8 cm, 8 cm; angles: 60^\circeach.
Answers with Explanations: Classifying Triangles
Level 1: Easy
Identify the type of triangle by its sides:
- A triangle with sides of 5 cm, 5 cm, and 5 cm:
Equilateral — All three sides are equal, so the triangle is equilateral. - A triangle with sides of 6 cm, 6 cm, and 8 cm:
Isosceles — Two sides are equal, making it an isosceles triangle. - A triangle with sides of 4 cm, 5 cm, and 6 cm:
Scalene — All sides are different, so the triangle is scalene. - A triangle with sides of 7 cm, 7 cm, and 7 cm:
Equilateral — All three sides are equal, so the triangle is equilateral. - A triangle with sides of 3 cm, 4 cm, and 5 cm:
Scalene — All sides are different, so the triangle is scalene. - A triangle with sides of 8 cm, 6 cm, and 8 cm:
Isosceles — Two sides are equal, making it an isosceles triangle. - A triangle with sides of 10 cm, 12 cm, and 15 cm:
Scalene — All sides are different, so the triangle is scalene. - A triangle with sides of 9 cm, 9 cm, and 9 cm:
Equilateral — All three sides are equal, so the triangle is equilateral. - A triangle with sides of 2 cm, 3 cm, and 4 cm:
Scalene — All sides are different, so the triangle is scalene. - A triangle with sides of 7 cm, 10 cm, and 12 cm:
Scalene — All sides are different, so the triangle is scalene.
Identify the type of triangle by its angles:
- A triangle with angles of 60^\circ, 60^\circ, and 60^\circ:
Equilateral — All angles are equal, and all are 60^\circ, so the triangle is equilateral. - A triangle with angles of 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ:
Right-angled Isosceles — One angle is 90^\circ, making it a right-angled triangle, and two angles are equal, so it’s also isosceles. - A triangle with angles of 100^\circ, 40^\circ, and 40^\circ:
Obtuse Isosceles — One angle is greater than 90^\circ, so it’s obtuse, and two angles are equal, making it isosceles. - A triangle with angles of 50^\circ, 50^\circ, and 80^\circ:
Isosceles — Two angles are equal, making it an isosceles triangle. - A triangle with angles of 70^\circ, 50^\circ, and 60^\circ:
Scalene Acute — All angles are different, and each is less than 90^\circ, making it an acute scalene triangle. - A triangle with angles of 90^\circ, 30^\circ, and 60^\circ:
Right-Angled Scalene — One angle is 90^\circ, making it a right-angled triangle, and all angles are different. - A triangle with angles of 120^\circ, 30^\circ, and 30^\circ:
Obtuse Isosceles — One angle is greater than 90^\circ, and two angles are equal, making it obtuse and isosceles. - A triangle with angles of 85^\circ, 45^\circ, and 50^\circ:
Acute Scalene — All angles are less than 90^\circand different. - A triangle with angles of 75^\circ, 60^\circ, and 45^\circ:
Acute Scalene — All angles are less than 90^\circand different. - A triangle with angles of 110^\circ, 35^\circ, and 35^\circ:
Obtuse Isosceles — One angle is greater than 90^\circ, and two angles are equal, making it obtuse and isosceles.
Level 2: Medium
Classify the following triangles by their sides and angles:
- Sides: 5 cm, 5 cm, and 5 cm; Angles: 60^\circeach:
Equilateral, Acute — All sides and angles are equal, and each angle is less than 90^\circ. - Sides: 7 cm, 5 cm, and 5 cm; Angles: 40^\circ, 70^\circ, and 70^\circ:
Isosceles, Acute — Two sides and two angles are equal, and all angles are less than 90^\circ. - Sides: 4 cm, 4 cm, and 6 cm; Angles: 50^\circ, 50^\circ, and 80^\circ:
Isosceles, Acute — Two sides and two angles are equal, and all angles are less than 90^\circ. - Sides: 9 cm, 7 cm, and 5 cm; Angles: 40^\circ, 50^\circ, and 90^\circ:
Scalene, Right-Angled — All sides and angles are different, and one angle is 90^\circ. - Sides: 3 cm, 3 cm, and 4 cm; Angles: 60^\circ, 60^\circ, and 60^\circ:
Equilateral, Acute — All sides and angles are equal, and each angle is less than 90^\circ. - Sides: 6 cm, 8 cm, and 10 cm; Angles: 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ:
Scalene, Right-Angled — All sides and angles are different, and one angle is 90^\circ. - Sides: 6 cm, 6 cm, and 8 cm; Angles: 60^\circ, 60^\circ, and 60^\circ:
Isosceles, Acute — Two sides are equal, and all angles are less than 90^\circ. - Sides: 9 cm, 7 cm, and 7 cm; Angles: 60^\circ, 70^\circ, and 50^\circ:
Isosceles, Acute — Two sides and two angles are equal, and all angles are less than 90^\circ. - Sides: 10 cm, 12 cm, and 15 cm; Angles: 90^\circ, 30^\circ, and 60^\circ:
Scalene, Right-Angled — All sides and angles are different, and one angle is 90^\circ. - Sides: 5 cm, 5 cm, and 8 cm; Angles: 50^\circ, 65^\circ, and 65^\circ:
Isosceles, Acute — Two sides and two angles are equal, and all angles are less than 90^\circ.
Level 3: Hard
For each triangle, classify by its sides and angles:
- Sides: 12 cm, 12 cm, 12 cm; Angles: 60^\circeach:
Equilateral, Acute — All sides and angles are equal, and each angle is less than 90^\circ. - Sides: 6 cm, 8 cm, 10 cm; Angles: 90^\circ, 30^\circ, and 60^\circ:
Scalene, Right-Angled — All sides are different, and one angle is 90^\circ. - Sides: 9 cm, 12 cm, 15 cm; Angles: 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ:
Scalene, Right-Angled — All sides are different, and one angle is 90^\circ. - Sides: 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm; Angles: 70^\circ, 50^\circ, and 60^\circ:
Scalene, Acute — All sides and angles are different, and all angles are less than 90^\circ. - Sides: 10 cm, 10 cm, 14 cm; Angles: 100^\circ, 40^\circ, and 40^\circ:
Isosceles, Obtuse — Two sides are equal, and one angle is greater than 90^\circ. - Sides: 7 cm, 7 cm, 9 cm; Angles: 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ:
Isosceles, Right-Angled — Two sides are equal, and one angle is 90^\circ. - Sides: 11 cm, 11 cm, 15 cm; Angles: 110^\circ, 35^\circ, and 35^\circ:
Isosceles, Obtuse — Two sides are equal, and one angle is greater than 90^\circ. - Sides: 8 cm, 10 cm, 12 cm; Angles: 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ:
Scalene, Right-Angled — All sides are different, and one angle is 90^\circ. - Sides: 6 cm, 6 cm, 8 cm; Angles: 80^\circ, 60^\circ, and 40^\circ:
Isosceles, Acute — Two sides are equal, and all angles are less than 90^\circ. - Sides: 5 cm, 8 cm, 10 cm; Angles: 90^\circ, 30^\circ, and 60^\circ:
Scalene, Right-Angled — All sides and angles are different, and one angle is 90^\circ.
Identify whether these triangles are scalene, isosceles, or equilateral and if they are acute, right-angled, or obtuse:
- Sides: 15 cm, 12 cm, 9 cm; Angles: 90^\circ, 60^\circ, and 30^\circ:
Scalene, Right-Angled — All sides are different, and one angle is 90^\circ. - Sides: 9 cm, 9 cm, 9 cm; Angles: 60^\circeach:
Equilateral, Acute — All sides and angles are equal, and all angles are less than 90^\circ. - Sides: 6 cm, 6 cm, 8 cm; Angles: 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ:
Isosceles, Right-Angled — Two sides are equal, and one angle is 90^\circ. - Sides: 7 cm, 7 cm, 7 cm; Angles: 60^\circeach:
Equilateral, Acute — All sides and angles are equal, and all angles are less than 90^\circ. - Sides: 8 cm, 10 cm, 12 cm; Angles: 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ:
Scalene, Right-Angled — All sides are different, and one angle is 90^\circ. - Sides: 5 cm, 5 cm, 8 cm; Angles: 50^\circ, 65^\circ, and 65^\circ:
Isosceles, Acute — Two sides are equal, and all angles are less than 90^\circ. - Sides: 7 cm, 10 cm, 12 cm; Angles: 90^\circ, 45^\circ, and 45^\circ:
Scalene, Right-Angled — All sides are different, and one angle is 90^\circ. - Sides: 6 cm, 6 cm, 6 cm; Angles: 60^\circeach:
Equilateral, Acute — All sides and angles are equal, and all angles are less than 90^\circ. - Sides: 10 cm, 14 cm, 12 cm; Angles: 90^\circ, 30^\circ, and 60^\circ:
Scalene, Right-Angled — All sides and angles are different, and one angle is 90^\circ. - Sides: 8 cm, 8 cm, 8 cm; Angles: 60^\circeach:
Equilateral, Acute — All sides and angles are equal, and all angles are less than 90^\circ.
These answers provide students with a full explanation of how to classify triangles based on their sides and angles. Each step reinforces the key properties of equilateral, isosceles, and scalene triangles, as well as acute, right-angled, and obtuse angles.