Some Theorems on Right Triangles

Reported by: Glecy Adriano & Karl Lumayag

Theorem
The altitude to the hypotenuse of a right triangle separates the right triangle into two
triangles which are similar to each other and to the original triangle.

If in right ∆ABC, CD is an
altitude to the
hypotenuse, then
∆ABC~∆CBD~∆ACD

Theorem
In any right triangle:
1. The altitude to the hypotenuse is the geometric mean between the segments into
which it separates the hypotenuse.

2. Each leg is a geometric mean of the hypotenuse and the segment of the
hypotenuse adjacent to the leg.
If in right ∆ABC with CD an altitude to
the hypotenuse, then
AD CD
= BD,
CD
AD AC
= ,
AC AB
BD BC
= .
BC AB
The Pythagorean Theorem
In a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the
legs.

If ∆ABC is a right triangle, then

(AB)2 = (BC)2 + (AC)2
 The Converse of the Pythagorean Theorem

If in a triangle, the square of the length of one side is equal to the sum of the squares of
the lengths of the other two sides, then the triangle is a right triangle and the right
angle is opposite the longest side.

If ∆ABC with a2 + b2 = c 2 , then

∆ABC is a right triangle.

Pythagorean Triple

Is a group of three whole numbers that satisfies the equation 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = 𝑐 2 , where c is

the greatest number. One common Pythagorean Triple is 3,4, and 5, also known as
Egyptian Triangle.

Theorem

If the square of the length of the longest side of a triangle is greater than the sum of the
squares of the lengths of the other two sides, the triangle is obtuse.

If 𝑐 2 > 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 then ∆ABC is

obtuse.

Theorem

If the square of the length of the longest side of a triangle is less than the sum of the
squares of the lengths of the other two sides, the triangle is acute.

If 𝑐 2 < 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 , then ∆ABC is acute.

Other Theorems on Right Triangles…..

The Median Theorem

The median to the hypotenuse of a right triangle is one half as long as the hypotenuse.

If in right ∆ABC, CD is the median to

1
the hypotenuse, then CD= AB.
2

Special Right Triangles…..

The 30-60-90 Triangle Theorem

In a 30-60-90 triangle, the side opposite the 30° angle is half as long as the hypotenuse
and the side opposite the 60° angle is √3 times as long as the side opposite the 30°
angle.

The Converse of the 30-60-90 Triangle Theorem

If in a right triangle, one leg is half as long as the hypotenuse, then its opposite angle
has a measure of 30.
 The Isosceles Right Triangle Theorem

In an isosceles right triangle, the hypotenuse is √2 times as long as either of the legs.

Theorem
If two triangles (polygons) are similar, then the ratio of their areas is equal to the
square of the ratio of
1. Any two corresponding sides.
2. Any two corresponding altitudes.
3. Any two corresponding medians.
4. Their perimeters.

Areas and Perimeters of Similar Figures

𝑚
If the similarity ratio of two similar figures is , then
𝑛
𝑚
1. The ratio of their perimeters is , and
𝑛

𝑚2
2. The ratio of their areas is .
𝑛2