Understanding the Properties of Isosceles Triangles | Explained and Illustrated

isosceles triangle

An isosceles triangle is a type of triangle that has two sides of the same length

An isosceles triangle is a type of triangle that has two sides of the same length. The two angles opposite those sides are also congruent (or equal in measure). In other words, an isosceles triangle has at least two sides that are equal in length and two angles that are equal in measure.

Here are some key properties of an isosceles triangle:

1. Base: The side that is not equal in length to the other two sides is called the base of the triangle. The base is also opposite the vertex angle of the triangle.

2. Legs: The two sides that are equal in length are called the legs of the triangle. The legs are also adjacent to the base.

3. Vertex Angle: The angle opposite the base of the triangle is called the vertex angle. It is the angle formed by the two equal sides.

4. Base Angles: The two angles that are adjacent to the base of the triangle are called the base angles. These angles are also congruent because the corresponding sides are equal in length.

Here’s an example to illustrate these properties:

In the isosceles triangle ABC, we have AB = AC. Let BC be the base. The angle A is the vertex angle, and angles B and C are the base angles. Since AB = AC, angle B is congruent to angle C.

In summary, an isosceles triangle is a triangle that has two sides of equal length and two angles of equal measure. Understanding the properties of an isosceles triangle can be helpful in solving various mathematical problems and geometric proofs.

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