9.

4 Special
Right Triangles
Geometry
Mrs. Spitz
Spring 2005
Objectives/Assignment
• Find the side lengths of special right
triangles.
• Use special right triangles to solve
real-life problems, such as finding
the side lengths of the triangles.
• Assignment: pp.554-555 #1-30
• Assignment due to day: 9.3
• Quiz Monday over 9.1-9.3
Side lengths of Special
Right Triangles
• Right triangles whose angle
measures are 45°-45°-90° or 30°-
60°-90° are called special right
triangles. The theorems that
describe these relationships of side
lengths of each of these special right
triangles follow.
Theorem 9.8: 45°-45°-90°
Triangle Theorem
• In a 45°-45°-90°
45°
triangle, the √2x
hypotenuse is √2
times as long as x
each leg.
45°

x
Hypotenuse = √2 ∙ leg
Theorem 9.8: 30°-60°-90°
Triangle Theorem
• In a 30°-60°-90°
triangle, the 60°
hypotenuse is 2x
twice as long as x
the shorter leg,
and the longer leg 30°
is √3 times as long √3x
as the shorter leg. Hypotenuse = 2 ∙ shorter leg
Longer leg = √3 ∙ shorter leg
Ex. 1: Finding the hypotenuse in a
45°-45°-90° Triangle
• Find the value of x
• By the Triangle Sum
Theorem, the 3 3
measure of the third
angle is 45°. The
45°
triangle is a 45°-45°-
90° right triangle, so x
the length x of the
hypotenuse is √2
times the length of a
leg.
 Ex. 1: Finding the hypotenuse in a
45°-45°-90° Triangle

3 3

45°

Hypotenuse = √2 ∙ leg 45°-45°-90° Triangle

Theorem
x = √2 ∙ 3 Substitute values
x = 3√2 Simplify
 Ex. 2: Finding a leg in a 45°-45°-90°
Triangle
• Find the value of x.
• Because the triangle
is an isosceles right 5
triangle, its base
angles are congruent.
The triangle is a 45°-
x x
45°-90° right triangle,
so the length of the
hypotenuse is √2
times the length x of
a leg.
Ex. 2: Finding a leg in a 45°-45°-90°
5
Triangle
x x

Statement: Reasons:
Hypotenuse = √2 ∙ leg 45°-45°-90° Triangle Theorem
5 = √2 ∙ x Substitute values
5 √2x
=
√2 √2 Divide each side by √2
5
= x Simplify
√2
√2 5
= x
Multiply numerator and
√2 √2 denominator by √2
5√2
= x Simplify
2
Ex. 3: Finding side lengths in a 30°-
60°-90° Triangle
• Find the values of
60°
s and t.
• Because the t
s
triangle is a 30°-
30°
60°-90° triangle, 5
the longer leg is
√3 times the
length s of the
shorter leg.
Ex. 3: Side lengths in a 30°-60°-90°
Triangle t
60°

30°
5

Statement: Reasons:
Longer leg = √3 ∙ shorter leg 30°-60°-90° Triangle Theorem
5 = √3 ∙ s Substitute values
5 √3s
=
√3 √3 Divide each side by √3
5
= s Simplify
√3
√3 5
= s
Multiply numerator and
√3 √3 denominator by √3
5√3
= s Simplify
3
The length t of the hypotenuse is twice the length s of the
shorter leg. 60°
t s

30°
5

Statement: Reasons:
Hypotenuse = 2 ∙ shorter leg 30°-60°-90° Triangle Theorem
t 5√3
= 2∙ Substitute values
3

t 10√3 Simplify
=
3
Using Special Right Triangles in
Real Life
• Example 4: Finding the height of a ramp.
• Tipping platform. A tipping platform is a
ramp used to unload trucks. How high is
the end of an 80 foot ramp when it is
tipped by a 30° angle? By a 45° angle?
Solution:
• When the angle of elevation is 30°, the
height of the ramp is the length of the
shorter leg of a 30°-60°-90° triangle. The
length of the hypotenuse is 80 feet.

80 = 2h 30°-60°-90° Triangle Theorem

40 = h Divide each side by 2.

When the angle of elevation is 30°, the ramp

height is about 40 feet.
Solution:
• When the angle of elevation is 45°, the
height of the ramp is the length of a leg of
a 45°-45°-90° triangle. The length of the
hypotenuse is 80 feet.

80 = √2 ∙ h 45°-45°-90° Triangle Theorem

80
= h Divide each side by √2
√2

56.6 ≈ h Use a calculator to approximate

When the angle of elevation is 45°, the ramp
height is about 56 feet 7 inches.
Ex. 5: Finding the area of a
sign
• Road sign. The
road sign is
shaped like an
equilateral
triangle. Estimate
the area of the 18 in.
sign by finding the
area of the
equilateral h
triangle. 36 in.
Ex. 5: Solution 18 in.

• First, find the height h

of the triangle by
dividing it into two h
30°-60°-90° triangles. 36 in.
The length of the
longer leg of one of
these triangles is h.
The length of the Use h = 18√3 to find the
shorter leg is 18 area of the equilateral
inches. triangle.
h = √3 ∙ 18 = 18√3
30°-60°-90° Triangle
Theorem
Ex. 5: Solution 18 in.

Area = ½ bh
h
= ½ (36) 36 in.
(18√3)
≈ 561.18 The area of the sign is
a bout 561 square
inches.