Archive for June 2013

THE SUM OF THE ANGLES OF A TRIANGLE (Part 2: Exploration)

mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,sum of angles,IGCSE

This is the second part of the proof that the sum of the measures of the angles of a triangle is 180 degrees. This is actually the second method. The first one is more on using manipulatives or visual representations. This time, let us use basic mathematical concepts in proving.

This method is applicable to any type of triangle. 
mathematics,triangles,angles,geometry,right triangles,obtuse triangle,acute triangles,IGCSE
Let us use only one of the triangles. The process will be the same for the other triangles. To start with, let us name the triangle as ABC.
mathematics,angles,triangles,geometry,equilateral triangle,IGCSE
Now, let us draw a line parallel to base AC passing through B. Let us name this line as line BD or line BE or line ED, in any way you want it.
mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,interior angles,exterior angles,parallel lines,acute triangles,equilateral triangles,IGCSE
Since the focus of this proof is on the angles, let us rename each angle using numbers. It will be easier for us to determine the angles using the numbers instead of using three letters.
mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,interior angles,exterior angles,parallel lines,IGCSE
In this case, 
mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,IGCSE

Let us take note that the angles now of the triangle are angle 1, angle 2 and angle 3.

Since we have drawn a line parallel to line AC, then we could say that side AB and side side BC are transversals of the parallel lines BD and line AC. Let us recall the concept of alternating interior angles for parallel lines.
mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,parallel lines,equal angles,IGCSEmathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,parallel line,transversal line,IGCSE

Since we know that these alternate interior angles are always equal, then in the figure that we have formed, angle 1 = angle 4 and angle 3 = angle 5.
mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,acute angles,interior angles,exterior angles,IGCSE
If you notice, angles 2, 4 and 5 form a straight line. Let us recall
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That means the sum of angles 4, 2 and 5 is 180 degrees, because they form a straight line.
mathematics,geometry,angles,exterior angles,triangles,interior angles,supplementary angles,IGCSE
From the illustrations above, let us recall that angle 1 = angle 4 and angle 3 = angle 5.
mathematics,angles,geometry,alternate interior angles,triangles,IGCSE
Further, it means that the sum of angles 1, 2 and 3 is also 180 degrees.
mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,sum of the angles,IGCSE
Therefore, we can conclude that
mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,sum of angles,IGCSE
You can also use the other sides of the triangle for the proof. The same process will be used in each of the cases.
mathematics,geometry,triangles,angles,IGCSE
mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,IGCSE
Here is the summary of the proof in pdf form. You may download and print for academic use. Hope it will become useful to you.
You comments ad suggestions are welcome here. Write them down in the comment box below. Thank you!
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THE SUM OF THE ANGLES OF A TRIANGLE (Part 1: Exploration)

mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,IGCSE

Everybody knows that the sum of the measures of the angles of any triangle is 180 degrees. If I may ask each one of you why, one of the reasons that I may probably hear is that "Our math teacher told us!"  - which should not be the case. You should know how to show that the sum of the angles of any triangle is really 180 degrees. Where do 180 degrees come from? Why 180 degrees? Why not 360 degrees?

The purpose of this post is to show you how to prove that the sum of the angles of any triangle is really 180 degrees. This is the first method, which is the elementary way - the easiest way, to prove it. The other methods will also be posted here. 

PROVE: The sum of the measures of the angles of any triangle is 180 degrees.

PRE-REQUISITE
: The sum of the measures of the angles that form a straight line is 180 degrees.

MATERIALS NEEDED: colored papers or cardboards, pair of scissors, ruler, marker

PROCEDURES:
1. Cut three different types of triangles, classified according to angles. Use the colored papers or cardboards for the triangles. One should be a right triangle, another should be an acute triangle and the last should be an obtuse triangle.
mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,IGCSE
mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,90 degrees,IGCSEmathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,IGCSE
2. For us to easily identify the angles of the triangles later, highlight the edges of each triangle using a black (or any dark colored) marker.
mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,IGCSE
mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,IGCSE
mathematics,geometry,triangles,angles,IGCSE
3. Using a pair of scissors or cutter, cut the sector/region of the angles of each triangle.
mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,IGCSE

mathematics,geometry,angles,triangles,IGCSEmathematics,angles,triangles,geometry,IGCSE
4. For each of the triangles, arrange the regions of the angles in such a way that they are adjacent to each other. Notice that in this case, the lower part of the angles form a straight line.

5. In each of the figures formed, the angles formed a straight line at the bottom part. Recall that the sum of the angles that form a straight line is 180 degrees.

CONCLUSION: The sum of the measures of the angles of any triangle is 180 degrees.

For educators and parents, I have made a worksheet for this activity for your class/children. You are free to download and print it. You may group your students and let each group work on a triangle or all the triangles. I hope this will be helpful.
Your comments and suggestions are welcome here. Write them in the comment box below. Thank you!

1 = 2?

mathematics,algebra,trivia,tricks,puzzles,

Maybe you are wondering why or how can 1 be equal to 2. Let us look at the following proof:

First, let us have two real numbers a and b wheremathematics,algebra,math proofs,trivia,tricks,puzzles,IGCSE
Using the addition property of equality, let us add b on both sides.mathematics,algebra,math proofs,trivia,tricks,puzzles,IGCSE
If we simplify both sides by combining like terms, it will become
mathematics,algebra,math proofs,equations,trivia,tricks,puzzles,IGCSE
Now let us subtract 2a on both sides
mathematics,algebra,math proofs,equations,trivia,tricks,puzzles,IGCSECombining like terms, we will arrive at

mathematics,algebra,math proofs,equations,trivia,tricks,puzzles,IGCSE










The right side has a common factor, which is 2. Using distributive property, it can be rewritten as  
mathematics,algebra,math proofs,equations,trivia,tricks,puzzles,IGCSE








If you notice, both sides has a common factor, which is b - a. To simplify the equation, let us divide both sides by the common factor.
mathematics,algebra,math proofs,equations,trivia,tricks,puzzles,IGCSEmathematics,algebra,math proofs,equations,trivia,tricks,puzzles,IGCSE

The process will arrive at
mathematics,algebra,math proofs,equations,trivia,tricks,puzzles,IGCSE








Are you convinced? No no no...

Seems like the proof is valid but there is something wrong with it. Look over the proof once again. Can you identify which of the process is not valid?


There is nothing wrong with the given. Real numbers can be equal. There is nothing wrong also with adding b and subtracting 2a on both sides. Likewise, there is nothing wrong with combining like terms on both sides. Then, where is the mistake?

There is nothing wrong with dividing both sides by any number but in this case it becomes invalid. The reason is that b - a = 0 since a = b. Subtracting equal numbers will yield 0. Since b - a = 0, then the result will be UNDEFINED. We cannot also cancel out b - a on both sides because of that. 

Therefore, 1 is not equal to 2.  

Here is a copy of the proof in pdf form. You may download and print it for educational purposes.    You may share it to your friends. Your comments and suggestions are also welcome here. 


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