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Equilateral Triangles: Properties and Applications

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Equilateral triangles are polygons with equal sides and angles, each measuring 60 degrees. They possess unique properties such as congruent sides and angles, and their centers of mass, altitude, and circumcircle coincide. These triangles are fundamental in geometry, with practical uses in fields like architecture and engineering. Understanding their properties aids in calculating perimeter, area, and height, essential for various applications.

Understanding Equilateral Triangles

An equilateral triangle is a polygon with three sides of equal length and three angles of equal measure. In geometry, it is a specific type of triangle where each side is the same length, and each of the internal angles is exactly 60 degrees. The word "equilateral" comes from the Latin "aequus" meaning "equal" and "latus" meaning "side." These triangles are a subset of regular polygons, which are polygons that are both equiangular and equilateral. Their symmetry and uniformity make them a fundamental shape in the study of geometry and a building block for more complex geometric concepts.
Vibrant equilateral triangles in blue, green, red, and yellow hues arranged randomly on a white background with subtle shadows, showcasing geometric shapes.

Properties of Equilateral Triangles

Equilateral triangles have distinctive properties that are central to their geometry. All three sides are congruent, as are all three internal angles. When a perpendicular line is drawn from any vertex to the opposite side, it acts as an altitude, a median, a perpendicular bisector, and an angle bisector, effectively dividing the triangle into two congruent right triangles. This line also represents an axis of symmetry, and since there are three vertices, an equilateral triangle has three such axes of symmetry. The points known as the centroid (the center of mass), orthocenter (the intersection of altitudes), circumcenter (the center of the circumscribed circle), and incenter (the center of the inscribed circle) all coincide at the same point within the triangle, which is equidistant from all vertices and sides. This concurrency of centers is a unique feature of equilateral triangles.

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00

The term 'equilateral' is derived from Latin words 'aequus' and 'latus', which translate to '______' and '______' respectively.

equal

side

01

Equilateral triangle side congruence

All three sides are equal in length.

02

Equilateral triangle angle congruence

All three internal angles are 60 degrees.

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