How do I Locate the Orthocenter?

According to information from the University of Georgia, the orthocenter of a triangle is the point where the three latitudes of the triangle intersect. The orthocenter can be located inside or outside the triangle.

Altitudes

The University of Georgia explains that to begin finding the orthocenter of a triangle, the three altitudes must first be found. An altitude is found by drawing a line from the corner point of a triangle to the point at which the drawn line intersects the opposing side of the triangle.

Process

The Math Open Reference website reports a mathematical compass can be used by placing the point at the end of one line and the other end at the opposite end of the line. An arc can be drawn across the opposite line; the process is repeated for all three lines. The line drawn from the point of the line to the point at which the arc intersects the opposite side of the triangle is the altitude.

Orthocenter

The orthocenter of the triangle is found by drawing the three altitudes until they intersect, whether inside or outside the triangle. The point where the three altitudes intersect is the orthocenter.

References

• The University of Georgia: Altitudes & Orthocenters
• The University of Georgia: Triangle Centers
• Math Open Reference: Perpendicular
• Math Open Reference: How to Construct the Orthocenter of a Triangle