How to construct triangles

Part ofShape, space and measures

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A one-minute video showing how to construct triangles.

How to construct a triangle given 1 side and 2 angles

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WHAT YOU NEED: ruler, protractor, pencil and paper.
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STEP 1: This is what to do when you know the length of 1 side and the 2 angles at each end of it: here 8 cm, 40° and 50°. Draw an 8 cm line using a pencil and ruler. Place the centre of the protractor on the end of the line and mark 40° with a dot.
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STEP 2: Use a ruler to draw a line from the end of the line through the dot and label the angle 40°. TIP: you won't know the exact length of this new side yet so draw it a bit longer than you think you'll need. You can always extend it later.
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STEP 3: Place the protractor on the other end of the first line and mark a 50° angle up from the line with a dot. TIP: often protractors have an inner and outer scale. Make sure you read the one that has zero on the first line.
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STEP 4: Draw a line from the end of the line through the dot so it crosses the other side. Extend the lines if you need to. Mark this angle 50°.
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Well done! You've constructed a triangle, given the length of 1 side and 2 angles. TIP: if one of of the 2 angles is NOT at the end of the side you're given, it's easy to work out the third angle using the fact that there are 180° in a triangle.

How to construct a triangle given 2 sides and 1 angle

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Click to see a step-by-step slideshow.
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WHAT YOU NEED: ruler, protractor, compass, pencil and paper.
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STEP 1: This is what to do when you know 2 sides and 1 angle: here 7 cm, 8 cm and 40°. Draw a straight 8 cm line using a pencil and ruler. Set the compass width to 7 cm. Place the compass at one end of the line and draw an arc.
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STEP 2: Centre the protractor on the same end of the line and make a dot at 40°. From the same end, use a ruler to draw a line through the dot, crossing the arc. Label the length 7 cm and the angle 40°.
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STEP 3: Use the ruler to join the other end of the horizontal line to the end of the side you have just drawn.
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Well done! You've constructed a triangle after being told 1 angle and the length of 2 sides.

How to construct a triangle given 3 sides

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Click to see a step-by-step slideshow.
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WHAT YOU NEED: ruler, compass, pencil and paper.
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STEP 1: This is what to do when you know the length of all 3 sides: here 8 cm, 4 cm and 5 cm. Draw a straight 8 cm line using a pencil and ruler. Set the compass width to 4 cm. Place the compass at one end of the horizontal line and draw an arc.
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STEP 2: Set the compass width to 5 cm. Place the compass at the other end of the line and draw an arc that crosses the first arc.
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STEP 3: Use the ruler to draw a line from the left end of the horizontal line to the point where the two arcs meet and label the line 4 cm.
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STEP 4: Use a ruler to join the other end of the line to the point where the two arcs meet and label the line 5 cm.
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Well done! You've constructed a triangle after being told the length of all 3 sides.

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