MA24-06 Maths Coming soon

Constructing a triangle from three side lengths (SSS)

MA24-06

This lesson is coming soon.

Watch now instead: MA32-01 Mean, median, mode and range

In this lesson

Construct a triangle given the lengths of all three sides, using only a ruler and a pair of compasses.

What it covers

Constructing a triangle when all three side lengths are known, using ONLY a ruler and compasses (no protractor)
The two-arcs method: draw the base side first, then swing an arc of each remaining side length from each end of the base, the third vertex is where the arcs cross

For: Cambridge IGCSE 0580

On the specification

Board	Spec	Statement
Cambridge IGCSE 0580	C4.2	Measure and draw lines and angles.
Cambridge IGCSE 0580	E4.2	Measure and draw lines and angles.

For teachers

This GCSE Maths lesson teaches constructing a triangle from three side lengths (SSS). By the end, students should be able to construct a triangle given the lengths of all three sides, using only a ruler and a pair of compasses. It works through one worked example and the mistakes examiners report.