What makes triangles

The triangle is the strongest shape, capable of holding its shape, having a strong base, and providing immense support. There are a few types of triangle: the equilateral triangle which has 3 sides of equal length, an isosceles triangle with two equal sides, and a scalene triangle which has no sides of equal length.

Aside from all the differences in triangles, they have some similarities, they all have three sides and are extremely stable. Comparing how other shapes stand up to pressure proves the triangles resilience. If pressure is applied to one side of a square, it will eventually shift into a rhombus. No matter the amount of pressure applied to a triangle, it will absorb the pressure and remain rigid.

A polygon is a shape made from straight lines, and the triangle is the only polygon that will not shift under pressure. Due to triangles ability to withstand tremendous pressure, this shape is often found in architecture to provide stability.

But not the trusty triangle, which explains its ubiquitous use in construction, from pylons to bracing. Triangles are also special because they are the simplest polygon — a common approach to a tricky geometrical problem, such as analysing a complex surface, is to approximate it by a mesh of triangles.

This approach is also used in the real world to achieve some of the exotic shapes we now see in modern architecture, such as the curved shape of 30 St Mary's Axe, aka the Gherkin, or the canopy over the courtyard in the British Museum.

The method of triangulation is also vital in building our virtual world. The CGI characters we see in film and on TV are usually approximated by an incredibly fine mesh of triangles, as this makes it easier to digitally store and manipulate them. Skip to main content. If two angles and the non-included side of one triangle are equal to the corresponding angles and side of another triangle, the triangles are congruent.

HL stands for " H ypotenuse, L eg" t he longest side of a right-angled triangle is called the "hypotenuse" , the other two sides are called "legs". See Pythagoras' Theorem to find out more. If the hypotenuse and one leg of one right-angled triangle are equal to the corresponding hypotenuse and leg of another right-angled triangle, the two triangles are congruent.

Hide Ads About Ads. How To Find if Triangles are Congruent Two triangles are congruent if they have: exactly the same three sides and exactly the same three angles.