You used properties of isosceles and

equilateral triangles.

• Use the properties of 45°-45°-90° triangles.

• Use the properties of 30°-60°-90° triangles.
 Find the Hypotenuse Length in a 45°-45°-90° Triangle

A. Find x.

The given angles of this triangle are 45° and 90°. This
makes the third angle 45°, since 180 – 45 – 90 = 45.
Thus, the triangle is a 45°-45°-90° triangle.
Find the Hypotenuse Length in a 45°-45°-90° Triangle

45°-45°-90° Triangle Theorem

Substitution
 Find the Hypotenuse Length in a 45°-45°-90° Triangle

B. Find x.

The legs of this right triangle have the same measure,

x, so it is a 45°-45°-90° triangle. Use the
45°-45°-90° Triangle Theorem.
 Find the Hypotenuse Length in a 45°-45°-90° Triangle

45°-45°-90° Triangle Theorem

Substitution
x = 12

Answer: x = 12
A. Find x.

A. 3.5

B. 7

C.

D.
B. Find x.

A.

B.

C. 16

D. 32
 Find the Leg Lengths in a 45°-45°-90° Triangle

Find a.

The length of the hypotenuse of a 45°-45°-90° triangle

is times as long as a leg of the triangle.

45°-45°-90° Triangle Theorem

Substitution
Find the Leg Lengths in a 45°-45°-90° Triangle

Divide each side by

Rationalize the denominator.

Multiply.

Divide.
Find b.

A.

B. 3

C.

D.
 Find Lengths in a 30°-60°-90° Triangle

Find x and y.

The acute angles of a right triangle are

complementary, so the measure of the third angle is
90 – 30 or 60. This is a 30°-60°-90° triangle.
 Find Lengths in a 30°-60°-90° Triangle

Find the length of the longer side.

30°-60°-90° Triangle
Theorem
Substitution

Simplify.
 Find Lengths in a 30°-60°-90° Triangle

Find the length of hypotenuse.

30°-60°-90° Triangle
Theorem
Substitution

Simplify.

Answer: x = 4,
Find BC.

A. 4 in.

B. 8 in.

C.

D. 12 in.
 Use Properties of Special Right Triangles

QUILTING A quilt has the design shown in the

figure, in which a square is divided into 8 isosceles
right triangles. If the length of one side of the square
is 3 inches, what are the dimensions of each
triangle?
 Use Properties of Special Right Triangles

Understand You know that the length of the side of

the square equals 3 inches. You need
to find the length of the side and
hypotenuse of one isosceles right
triangle.
Plan Find the length of one side of the
isosceles right triangle, and use the
45°-45°-90° Triangle Theorem to find
the hypotenuse.
 Use Properties of Special Right Triangles

Solve Divide the length of the side of the

square by 2 to find the length of the
side of one triangle. 3 ÷ 2 = 1.5
So the side length is 1.5 inches.

45°-45°-90° Triangle
Theorem
Substitution
 Use Properties of Special Right Triangles

Answer: The side length is 1.5 inches and the

hypotenuse is

Check Use the Pythagorean Theorem to check

the dimensions of the triangle.
?

?
2.25 + 2.25 = 4.5
4.5 = 4.5 
BOOKENDS Shaina designed 2 identical bookends
according to the diagram below. Use special
triangles to find the height of the bookends.

A.

B. 10

C. 5

D.