Constructing Triangles (Edexcel GCSE Maths: Foundation)

What are triangle constructions?

• A triangle construction is an accurate drawing that usually uses:
  • a sharp pencil
  • a ruler
  • a protractor
  • and/or a pair of compasses
• You will be given information about the size of some of the angles and/or sides of a triangle
• Depending on the type of triangle, you will need to follow a specific method and you may need different equipment
• The types of triangle you may be asked to construct include: 
  • SSS - you are given the lengths of all three sides
  • SAS - you are given the lengths of two sides and the angle in between them
  • ASA - you are given the size of two angles and the length of the side in between them

How do I construct an SSS triangle?

• If you are given all three sides of a triangle, you will need a pencil, a ruler and a pair of compasses

• STEP 1
  Use a ruler to draw the longest side as the horizontal base near the bottom of the space you have been given
  • This needs to be accurate, measure it carefully with your ruler
  • Write its length (with units) just underneath

• STEP 2
   Draw an arc from one end of the line
  • Using your ruler to measure, open your compasses so that the length from the compass point to the tip of your pencil is exactly the length of one of the remaining sides
  • Being extra careful not to change the length, put the compass point on one end of the horizontal line you have drawn and draw an arc above the horizontal line
• STEP 3
  Draw another arc from the other end of the line
  
  • Using your ruler to measure again, open your compasses so that the length from the compass point to the tip of your pencil is exactly the length of the third side
  • Being extra careful not to change the length, put the compass point on the other end of the horizontal line and draw another arc, making sure that it crosses the first arc
• STEP 4

  Use your ruler to draw straight lines from each end of the horizontal line to the point where the arcs cross over 

• STEP 5
  Use your ruler to check that the two new lines are exactly equal to the lengths given in the question
  • When you are confident that they are accurate, label the lines

• It is important that you do not rub out your arcs as the examiner will use these to check your work
• If the instructions include a triangle name such as triangle ABC, make sure you label each vertex respectively

How do I construct an SAS triangle?

• If you are given two sides of a triangle and the angle in between them, you will need a pencil, a ruler and a protractor

• STEP 1
  Use a ruler to draw the longest given side as the horizontal base near the bottom of the space you have been given
  • This needs to be accurate, measure it carefully with your ruler
  • Write its length (with units) just underneath

• STEP 2
  Measure the angle from the end of the line
  
  • Place the centre point of the protractor on one end of the side that you have just drawn, measure the given angle from the side and make a mark to indicate where it is
  • Draw a straight line from where you had placed the protractor, through the mark, and extend it further

• STEP 3
  Draw the second straight line
  
  • Measure along the line you have just drawn in STEP 2 from the end at which it connects to the first horizontal line
  • Make a mark on the line when you have measured the length of the second given side

• STEP 4

  Use your ruler to draw a straight line from other end of the first horizontal line to the mark you have just made on the second line

• STEP 5
  Use your protractor and ruler to check that the measured angle and sides are exactly equal to the sizes given in the question
  • When you are confident that they are accurate, label the sides and the angle

• It is important that you do not rub out your construction lines as the examiner will use these to check your work

How do I construct an ASA triangle?

• If you are given two angles of a triangle and the length of the side in between them, you will need a pencil, a ruler and a protractor

• STEP 1
  Use a ruler to draw the given side as the horizontal base near the bottom of the space you have been given
  • This needs to be accurate, measure it carefully with your ruler
  • Write its length (with units) just underneath
• STEP 2
  Measure one angle from one of the ends of the line 
  • Place the centre point of the protractor on one end of the side that you have just drawn, measure the given angle from the side and make a mark to indicate where it is
  • Draw a straight line from where you had placed the protractor through the mark and extend it further

• STEP 3
  Measure the second angle from the other end of the line
  
  • Place the centre point of the protractor on the other end of the first side that was drawn and measure the given angle indicating its position with a mark
  • Draw a straight line from where you had placed the protractor through the mark and extend it further
  • This line should cross the line you drew in STEP 2, if it doesn't, extend your lines further

• STEP 4

  Use your ruler to draw straight lines from each end of the first horizontal line to the point where the lines drawn in STEP 2 and STEP 3 cross over 

• STEP 5
  Use your protractor to check that the two measured angles are exactly equal to the sizes given in the question
  • When you are confident that they are accurate, label the angles

• It is important that you do not rub out your construction lines as the examiner will use these to check your work