Name:______________________________________________________________________________

4.4A – Investigating the Ambiguous Case with GSP

When discussing the ambiguous case, we are referring to a situation where the given information provides
more than one possibility. In such cases, we must calculate and consider all possibilities. Let’s turn to
Geogebra.org to explore these possibilities.

1. Create a line segment, and use the measure tool to find its length. Then use the selection tool to
move one of the endpoints until it is about 3 units long.

2. Join it with another line segment. Make sure this new line segment is much longer than the first
one. Use the measure tool to find the angle between the two line segments. Then use the selection
tool to move the longer endpoint until the angle is about 40°.

3. Attach a third line segment that is about 2 units long to the shorter line segment.

4. Use the selection tool to move endpoint D to the line BC to create a triangle. Sketch the TWO
possible triangles below. Label all the set parameters on your two sketches.

[T2]
 5. Move the endpoint D so the segment AD is perpendicular to the segment BC. If AB = 3 units, and
angle B = 40°, what must the length of AD equal to for it to form a right triangle? Sketch the triangle
and show your calculations below.

[T2]

6. Use your selection tool to move endpoint A so that the angle at B is now 110°.

7. What must be true about side AD to form a triangle?

[T1]

Summary: [T6] [Note: Some options have no possibilities.] [Hint: https://www.geogebra.org/m/jha4utdr ]

B < 90° B 90°
One Triangle One Triangle
Rule: Diagram: Rule: Diagram:

No Triangle No Triangle
Rule: Diagram: Rule: Diagram:

Two Triangles Two Triangles

Rule: Diagram: Rule: Diagram: