Triangles

  • Isosceles
    problem

    Isosceles

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Prove that a triangle with sides of length 5, 5 and 6 has the same area as a triangle with sides of length 5, 5 and 8. Find other pairs of non-congruent isosceles triangles which have equal areas.
  • Kissing Triangles
    problem

    Kissing triangles

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Determine the total shaded area of the 'kissing triangles'.
  • Three Way Split
    problem

    Three way split

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Take any point P inside an equilateral triangle. Draw PA, PB and PC from P perpendicular to the sides of the triangle where A, B and C are points on the sides. Prove that PA + PB + PC is a constant.
  • Triangle midpoints
    problem

    Triangle midpoints

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    You are only given the three midpoints of the sides of a triangle. How can you construct the original triangle?

  • Fitting In
    problem

    Fitting in

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    The largest square which fits into a circle is ABCD and EFGH is a square with G and H on the line CD and E and F on the circumference of the circle. Show that AB = 5EF. Similarly the largest equilateral triangle which fits into a circle is LMN and PQR is an equilateral triangle with P and Q on the line LM and R on the circumference of the circle. Show that LM = 3PQ
  • Area I'n It
    problem

    Area i'n it

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Triangle ABC has altitudes h1, h2 and h3. The radius of the inscribed circle is r, while the radii of the escribed circles are r1, r2 and r3 respectively. Prove: 1/r = 1/h1 + 1/h2 + 1/h3 = 1/r1 + 1/r2 + 1/r3 .
  • Chain of Changes
    problem

    Chain of changes

    Age
    5 to 7
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    In this activity, shapes can be arranged by changing either the colour or the shape each time. Can you find a way to do it?

  • Part the Polygons
    problem

    Part the polygons

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Draw three straight lines to separate these shapes into four groups - each group must contain one of each shape.
  • Colouring Triangles
    problem

    Colouring triangles

    Age
    5 to 7
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    Explore ways of colouring this set of triangles. Can you make symmetrical patterns?

  • Three Fingers and a Loop of String
    problem

    Three fingers and a loop of string

    Age
    5 to 7
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Using a loop of string stretched around three of your fingers, what different triangles can you make? Draw them and sort them into groups.