Right triangle

Here you will learn about right triangles, including what a right triangle is and how to solve problems with right triangles.

Students first learn about right triangles in the 4th grade with their work in geometry.

What is a right triangle?

A right triangle is a type of triangle that has one right angle ( 90^{\circ} angle).

The two sides of the triangle that meet at the right angle are perpendicular. In this case, side AB is perpendicular to side BC so angle B is 90^{\circ}.

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A right angle is 90^{\circ} and it is symbolized using a small square inside the angle at the vertex.

The longest side of the right triangle is called the hypotenuse. It is the side opposite to the right angle.

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As you move into secondary school and study geometry, triangles are one of the most common shapes to recognize for angles in parallel lines, circle theorems, interior angles, trigonometry, Pythagoras’ theorem and many more.

Types of right triangles

There are two types of right triangles.

Right isosceles triangle:Scalene right triangle:

● Two equal (congruent) sides
● Two equal (congruent) angles
● One right (90^{\circ}) angle

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The equal angles are equal to 45^{\circ} each

● No equal sides
● No equal angles
● One right (90^{\circ}) angle

right triangles table image 2




What is a right triangle?

What is a right triangle?

Common Core State Standards

How does this apply to 4th and 5th grade math?

  • Grade 4 – Geometry (4.G.A.1)
    Draw points, lines, line segments, rays, angles (right, acute, obtuse), and perpendicular and parallel lines. Identify these in two-dimensional figures.

  • Grade 4 – Geometry (4.G.A.2)
    Classify two-dimensional figures based on the presence or absence of parallel or perpendicular lines, or the presence or absence of angles of a specified size. Recognize right triangles as a category, and identify right triangles.

  • Grade 5 – Geometry (5.G.B.3)
    Understand that attributes belonging to a category of two-dimensional figures also belong to all subcategories of that category.

How to solve problems involving right angle triangles

In order to identify right triangles:

  1. Recall the definition.
  2. Explain how the triangle fits or does not fit the definition.

[FREE] Triangles Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 5)

[FREE] Triangles Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 5)

[FREE] Triangles Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 5)

Use this quiz to check your grade 4 to 5 students’ understanding of triangles. 10+ questions with answers covering a range of 4th and 5th grade triangle topics to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE
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[FREE] Triangles Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 5)

[FREE] Triangles Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 5)

[FREE] Triangles Check for Understanding Quiz (Grade 4 to 5)

Use this quiz to check your grade 4 to 5 students’ understanding of triangles. 10+ questions with answers covering a range of 4th and 5th grade triangle topics to identify areas of strength and support!

DOWNLOAD FREE

Right triangle examples

Example 1: identifying right triangles

Is the triangle a right triangle?

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  1. Recall the definition.

A right triangle has one right angle (90^{\circ}).

2Explain how the triangle fits or does not fit the definition.

There is one angle that appears to be 90^{\circ}. Measuring the angle on the protractor, it measures to be 90^{\circ}. So, the triangle is a right triangle.

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Example 2: identifying right triangles

Is the triangle a right triangle?

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Recall the definition.

Explain how the triangle fits or does not fit the definition.

Example 3: identifying right triangles

Is triangle ABC a right triangle if side AB is perpendicular to side BC?

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Recall the definition.

Explain how the triangle fits or does not fit the definition.

Example 4: identifying right triangles

Ana drew a triangle where two of the sides of the triangle are perpendicular. Is the triangle Ana drew a right triangle?

Recall the definition.

Explain how the triangle fits or does not fit the definition.

Example 5: identifying right triangles

Is the triangle below a right scalene triangle or a right isosceles triangle?

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Recall the definition.

Explain how the triangle fits or does not fit the definition.

Example 6: identifying right triangles

Is the triangle below a right scalene triangle or a right isosceles triangle?

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Recall the definition.

Explain how the triangle fits or does not fit the definition.

Teaching tips for right triangles

  • Have students use manipulatives to investigate triangle properties.

  • Facilitate learning opportunities like projects where students can see how right triangles are used in the real world.

  • Integrate drawing activities where students can use rulers and protractors.

Easy mistakes to make

  • Confusing angle facts
    Make sure to recall that an acute angle is an angle greater than 0^{\circ} and less than 90^{\circ}; obtuse angle is an angle 90^{\circ} and less than 180^{\circ}; and a right angle is equal to 90^{\circ}.

  • Thinking that if an angle looks like it’s \bf{90°} then it is a right angle
    In geometry, the angle has to be marked as 90^{\circ} or you have to measure it to be 90^{\circ} to be certain that it is a right angle.

Practice right triangle questions

1. Select the right triangle.

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GCSE Quiz False

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GCSE Quiz False

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GCSE Quiz True

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GCSE Quiz False

A right triangle is a triangle with a right angle. This triangle appears to have a right angle.

 

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Measuring the angle with a protractor, you can see that it is 90^{\circ} which means the triangle is a right triangle.

2. Select the right isosceles triangle.

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GCSE Quiz False

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GCSE Quiz True

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GCSE Quiz False

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GCSE Quiz False

Right isosceles triangles have one right angle, two equal sides, and 2 equal angles.

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This triangle has a right angle, two angles that measure 45^{\circ} and two sides that measure 5 inches.

3. Which triangle has a set of perpendicular sides?

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GCSE Quiz True

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GCSE Quiz False

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GCSE Quiz False

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GCSE Quiz False

Perpendicular lines are lines that intersect (meet) at a right angle (90^{\circ}).

 

This triangle has two sides that are perpendicular because there is a square symbol that means 90^{\circ} at the vertex.

 

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4. Which photo is a right triangle?

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GCSE Quiz False

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GCSE Quiz False

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GCSE Quiz False

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GCSE Quiz True

A right triangle has 1 right angle.

 

This triangle has three angles that are all acute, less than 90^{\circ}.

 

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This triangle has three angles that are all acute, less than 90^{\circ}.

 

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This triangle has an angle that is obtuse, greater than 90^{\circ} but less than 180^{\circ}.

 

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This triangle is the right triangle because it has one 90^{\circ} angle.

 

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5. Nora drew a triangle that has a pair of perpendicular sides. Which triangle could be the one Nora drew?

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GCSE Quiz True

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GCSE Quiz False

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GCSE Quiz False

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GCSE Quiz False

This is the triangle that Nora could have drawn because it’s the only triangle that has a right angle.

 

Perpendicular lines intersect to form right angles.

 

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6. Which triangle represents a right scalene triangle?

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GCSE Quiz False

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GCSE Quiz False

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GCSE Quiz True

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GCSE Quiz False

A right scalene triangle is a triangle with no equal sides, no equal angles, and 1 right angle.

 

This triangle is a right triangle but there are two sides of the triangle marked as equal.

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This triangle is the right scalene triangle because the sides have different measurements and there is one right angle.

 

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Right triangle FAQs

What is the Pythagorean theorem?

The Pythagorean theorem is a formula that shows the relationship of the side lengths of right triangles, a^2+b^2=c^2 where the sum of (side a ) ^2 and (side b ) ^2 is equal to (hypotenuse c ) ^2. (The sum of the squares of the sides is equal to the square of the hypotenuse.) You will learn how to use the Pythagorean theorem in 8th grade.

What is trigonometry?

Trigonometry is the study of triangles. In trigonometry, you learn more about right triangles and the ratio of the sides of a right triangle – sine, cosine, and tangent. You will also learn about trigonometric functions.

What is a Pythagorean triple?

A Pythagorean triple is composed of three positive integers that work in the Pythagorean theorem. For example, the numbers 3, 4, 5 are considered a Pythagorean triple because the sum of the squares of the sides is equal to the square of the 3^2+4^2=5^2 → 9+16 =25.

What are special right triangles?

Special right triangles will be a topic you explore in high school. There are two special right triangles. The first one is an isosceles right triangle or 45-45-90 triangle. The other one is a scalene right triangle, or 30-60-90 triangle.

How do you find the area of a right triangle?

The way you find the area of a right triangle is the same way you find the area of oblique triangles. You can use the formula for the area of the triangle, A=\cfrac{1}{2} \, \cdot b \cdot h.

What are the units of an angle measurement?

Angles can be measured in two different units, degrees or radians. You will learn how to measure angles in radians in high school.

How do you find the perimeter of a right triangle?

You find the perimeter of a right triangle by adding up the length of the sides and the length of the hypotenuse, which is the largest side of the triangle.

Do other triangles have hypotenuses?

Only right triangles have a side called the hypotenuse. The hypotenuse of a right triangle is the longest side of the triangle.

Still stuck?

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