Question

A triangle has two sides that are perpendicular. Could the triangle be isosceles, equilateral, or scalene? Explain. Include a drawing to support your answer.

Answer 1

Answer: It could be isosceles and scalene

Explanation:

If it is:

Isosceles triangle means that the angle formed by two sides that are perpendicular must always be 90 degrees and the other two angles in the triangle must be equal to each other (45 degrees each) and their sum must be 90 degrees

In the equilateral triangle, each angle must be equal to the other and be 60%. In this case, it is impossible because the triangle has two sides that are perpendicular

Scalene triangle so the other two angles must add up to 90 degrees. It could be 20 and 80 or any other combination.

So, isosceles and scalene are the final answers.

Answer 2

It could be isosceles and scalene

Explanation:

If it is:

• Isosceles triangle, it means that the angle formed by two sides that are perpendicular must always be 90 degree and the other two angles in the triangle must be equal to each other (45 degree each) and their sum must be 90 degrees
• Equilateral triangle, each angle must equal to each other and be 60%. In this case, it is impossible because the triangle has two sides that are perpendicular
• Scalene triangle so the other two angles must add up to 90 degrees. It could be 20 and 80 or any other combination.

So, isosceles and scalene are the final answers.

Hope it will find you well.