SSAT Upper Level Math : Properties of Triangles

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : How To Find If Right Triangles Are Congruent

Given: \(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup ABC\) and \(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup DEF\) with right angles \(\displaystyle \angle B\) and \(\displaystyle \angle E\)\(\displaystyle \angle A \cong \angle D\).

Which of the following statements alone, along with this given information, would prove that \(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup ABC \cong \bigtriangleup DEF\) ?

I) \(\displaystyle \overline{AB } \cong \overline{DE}\)

II) \(\displaystyle \overline{BC }\cong \overline{EF}\)

III) \(\displaystyle \overline{AC } \cong \overline{DF}\)

Possible Answers:

I or III only

III only

II or III only

Any of I, II, or III

I or II only

Correct answer:

Any of I, II, or III

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \angle A \cong \angle D\)\(\displaystyle \angle B \cong \angle E\) since both are right angles.

Given that two pairs of corresponding angles are congruent and any one side of corresponding sides is congruent, it follows that the triangles are congruent. In the case of Statement I, the included sides are congruent, so by the Angle-Side-Angle Congruence Postulate, \(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup ABC \cong \bigtriangleup DEF\). In the case of the other two statements, a pair of nonincluded sides are congruent, so by the Angle-Angle-Side Congruence Theorem, \(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup ABC \cong \bigtriangleup DEF\). Therefore, the correct choice is I, II, or III.

Example Question #711 : Ssat Upper Level Quantitative (Math)

\(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup ABC \cong \bigtriangleup DEF\), where \(\displaystyle \angle B\) is a right angle, \(\displaystyle AC = 20\), and \(\displaystyle AB = BC\).

Which of the following is true?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle DE = 20\sqrt{2}\)

\(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup DEF\) has perimeter 40

None of the statements given in the other choices is true.

\(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup DEF\) has area 100

\(\displaystyle m \angle F = 60^{\circ }\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup DEF\) has area 100

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup ABC \cong \bigtriangleup DEF\), and corresponding parts of congruent triangles are congruent.

Since \(\displaystyle \angle B\) is a right angle, so is \(\displaystyle \angle E\)\(\displaystyle DE = AB\) and \(\displaystyle EF= BC\); since \(\displaystyle AB = BC\), it follows that \(\displaystyle DE = EF\)\(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup DEF\)  is an isosceles right triangle; consequently, \(\displaystyle m \angle A = m \angle C = 45^{\circ }\).

\(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup DEF\) is a 45-45-90 triangle with hypotenuse of length \(\displaystyle DF= AC = 20\). By the 45-45-90 Triangle Theorem, the length of each leg is equal to that of the hypotenuse divided by \(\displaystyle \sqrt{2}\); therefore, 

\(\displaystyle DE=EF = \frac{DF}{\sqrt{2}} = \frac{20}{\sqrt{2}} =\frac{20 \cdot \sqrt{2}}{\sqrt{2} \cdot \sqrt{2}} = \frac{20 \sqrt{2}}{2} = 10 \sqrt{2}\)

\(\displaystyle DE = 20\sqrt{2}\) is eliminated as the correct choice.

Also, the perimeter of \(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup DEF\) is

\(\displaystyle P = DE+EF+DF = 10 \sqrt{2} + 10 \sqrt{2} + 20 = 20+ 20 \sqrt{2} \ne 40\).

This eliminates the perimeter of \(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup DEF\) being 40 as the correct choice.

Also, \(\displaystyle m \angle F = 60^{\circ }\) is eliminated as the correct choice, since the triangle is 45-45-90.

The area of  \(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup DEF\) is half the product of the lengths of its legs:

\(\displaystyle A = \frac{1}{2} \cdot DE \cdot EF\)

\(\displaystyle = \frac{1}{2} \cdot 10 \sqrt{2}\cdot 10 \sqrt{2}\)

\(\displaystyle = \frac{1}{2} \cdot 10\cdot 10 \cdot \sqrt{2} \cdot \sqrt{2}\)

\(\displaystyle = \frac{1}{2} \cdot 10\cdot 10 \cdot 2\)

\(\displaystyle = 100\)

The correct choice is the statement that \(\displaystyle \bigtriangleup DEF\) has area 100.

Example Question #2003 : Hspt Mathematics

One angle of a right triangle has measure \(\displaystyle 120^{\circ }\). Give the measures of the other two angles.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 30^{\circ }, 30^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 90^{\circ }, 120^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 30^{\circ }, 90^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 120^{\circ }, 120^{\circ }\)

This triangle cannot exist.

Correct answer:

This triangle cannot exist.

Explanation:

A right triangle must have one right angle and two acute angles; this means that no angle of a right triangle can be obtuse. But since \(\displaystyle 120^{\circ } > 90^{\circ }\), it is obtuse. This makes it impossible for a right triangle to have a \(\displaystyle 120^{\circ }\) angle.

Example Question #1 : How To Find An Angle In A Right Triangle

One angle of a right triangle has measure \(\displaystyle 68^{\circ }\). Give the measures of the other two angles.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 44^{\circ },68^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 56^{\circ },56^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 22^{\circ }, 90^{\circ }\)

\(\displaystyle 52^{\circ }, 60^{\circ }\)

This triangle cannot exist.

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 22^{\circ }, 90^{\circ }\)

Explanation:

One of the angles of a right triangle is by definition a right, or \(\displaystyle 90^{\circ }\), angle, so this is the measure of one of the missing angles. Since the measures of the angles of a triangle total \(\displaystyle 180^{\circ }\), if we let the measure of the third angle be \(\displaystyle x\), then:

\(\displaystyle x + 68 + 90 = 180\)

\(\displaystyle x + 158 = 180\)

\(\displaystyle x + 158 - 158= 180 - 158\)

\(\displaystyle x = 22\)

The other two angles measure \(\displaystyle 22 ^{\circ }, 90^{\circ }\).

Example Question #2 : How To Find An Angle In A Right Triangle

Find the degree measure of \(\displaystyle x\) in the right triangle below.

 

Picture1

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 47^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 90^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 32^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 43^{\circ}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 43^{\circ}\)

Explanation:

The total number of degrees in a triangle is \(\displaystyle 180\).

While \(\displaystyle 47^{\circ}\) is provided as the measure of one of the angles in the diagram, you are also told that the triangle is a right triangle, meaning that it must contain a \(\displaystyle 90^{\circ}\) angle as well. To find the value of \(\displaystyle x\), subtract the other two degree measures from \(\displaystyle 180\).

\(\displaystyle x=180-90-47=43^{\circ}\)

Example Question #51 : Properties Of Triangles

Find the angle value of \(\displaystyle v\).

Picture1

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 47^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 43^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 53^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 90^{\circ}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 43^{\circ}\)

Explanation:

All the angles in a triangle must add up to 180 degrees.

\(\displaystyle 90^{\circ}+47^{\circ}+v=180^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 137^{\circ}+v=180^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 137^{\circ}+v-137^{\circ}=180^{\circ}-137^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle v=43^{\circ}\)

Example Question #5 : How To Find An Angle In A Right Triangle

Find the angle value of \(\displaystyle w\).

Picture1

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 48^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 68^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 38^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 58^{\circ}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 58^{\circ}\)

Explanation:

All the angles in a triangle adds up to \(\displaystyle 180^{\circ}\).

\(\displaystyle 90^{\circ}+32^{\circ}+w=180^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 122^{\circ}+w=180^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 122^{\circ}+w-122^{\circ}=180^{\circ}-122^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle w=58^{\circ}\)

Example Question #6 : How To Find An Angle In A Right Triangle

Find the angle value of \(\displaystyle y\).

Picture1

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 36^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 66^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 46^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 56^{\circ}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 46^{\circ}\)

Explanation:

All the angles in a triangle add up to \(\displaystyle 180\) degrees.

\(\displaystyle 90^{\circ}+44^{\circ}+y=180^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 134^{\circ}+y=180^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 134^{\circ}+y-134^{\circ}=180^{\circ}-134^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle y=46^{\circ}\)

Example Question #52 : Right Triangles

Find the angle measure of \(\displaystyle z\).

Picture1

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 41^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 31^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 51^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 21^{\circ}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 31^{\circ}\)

Explanation:

All the angles in a triangle add up to \(\displaystyle 180^{\circ}\).

\(\displaystyle 90^{\circ}+59^{\circ}+z=180^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 149^{\circ}+z=180^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle 149^{\circ}+z-149^{\circ}=180^{\circ}-149^{\circ}\)

\(\displaystyle z=31^{\circ}\)

Example Question #1 : Equilateral Triangles

An equilateral triangle has a perimeter of \(\displaystyle 2400\) units. What is the length of each side?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 300\) units

\(\displaystyle 800\) units

\(\displaystyle 600\) units

\(\displaystyle 400\) units

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 800\) units

Explanation:

Because an equilateral triangle has three sides that are the same length, divide the given perimeter by 3 to find the length of each side.

\(\displaystyle 2400\div3=800\)

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