Right Angle Triangle

A right angle triangle is a triangle in which one of the three angles is 90 degrees.

Following picture depicts a right angle triangle.

Right Angle Triangle

In the above diagram, we have right angle at vertex B.

Hypotenuse

Hypotenuse is an important term to know when it comes to right angle triangle.

Hypotenuse is the side opposite to the right angle. Or you can remember it as the longest side in a right angle triangle.

Right Angle Triangle - Hypotenuse

What are the Least Number of Parameters required to Define/Draw a Right Angle Triangle

Consider the following diagram. We mentioned all the sides and angles of a right angle triangle.

Right Angle Triangle - Vertices, Angles, Sides

There are different sets of parameters where in you can build a right angle triangle with them.

1. Base, Height

With the base and height known, we can draw a right angle triangle.

Steps to draw a Right Angle Triangle with Base and Height known

  1. Draw a line segment with base as length.
  2. Then draw a line segment perpendicular to the base, of length height. The base and height should have their one of the ends meet at right angle.
  3. Now, join the other two ends, this is the hypotenuse.
  4. You have drawn a right angle triangle with base and height.
Steps to draw Right Angle Triangle

2. Base, Angle between Base and Hypotenuse

Now, we shall learn the steps to draw a right angle if you know base and angle between base and hypotenuse.

Steps to draw a Right Angle Triangle with Base and a Angle between Base and Hypotenuse

  1. Draw a line segment with base as length.
  2. Using protractor, at one end of the base, draw a line making given angle (angle between base and hypotenuse).
  3. At the other end of the base, draw a line perpendicular to the base. This line segment and the line drawn in step 2 intersect at a point. Make sure you extend the line segments until they meet.
  4. Your right angle triangle is ready.
Steps to Draw Right Angle Triangle with Base and Angle

3. Height, Angle between Height and Hypotenuse.

Actually, base and height are interchangeable. If you rotate the triangle by 90 degrees, height becomes base and base becomes height.

So, you can repeat the same process that we mentioned in the second way where we used Base, Angle between Base and Hypotenuse to draw a right angle triangle.