Isosceles Triangle
How to solve an isosceles triangle by using its definition: definition, 3 examples, and their solutions.
Definition
An isosceles triangle is a triangle
that has two congruent sides (= legs).
The non-congruent side is the base.
The two angles
that are adjacent to the base
are congruent.
Example
The given triangle is an isosceles triangle.
So these two angles are congruent.
So [3x + 25] = [55].
Move +25 to the right side.
Then 3x = 30.
Divide both sides by 3.
Then x = 10.
So x = 10.
Example
The given triangle is an isosceles triangle.
Then the bottom two angles are congruent.
So the bottom right angle is [4x + 3]º.
These three angles
are the interior angles of the given triangle.
So 2[4x + 3] + [3x - 2] = 180.
2(4x + 3) = 8x + 6
8x + 3x = 11x
+6 - 2 = +4
Move +4 to the right side.
Then 11x = 176.
Divide both sides by 11.
Then x = 16.
So x = 16.
Example
See the left triangle.
This is an isosceles triangle.
So the upper angle
is congruent to the bottom angle:
xº.
So the upper angle is
xº.
Next, see the right triangle.
This is also an isosceles triangle.
So the bottom left angle
is congruent to the bottom right angle:
70º.
So the bottom left angle is
70º.
70º is the exterior angle.
And the two xº angles
are the non-adjacent interior angles.
So [x] + [x] = [70].
x + x = 2x
2x = 70
Divide both sides by 2.
Then x = 35.
So x = 35.