How to Find the Base & Height of an Obtuse Triangle
Triangles are classified into three categories: acute, right and obtuse. Obtuse triangles have one angle that measures larger than 90 degrees. Obtaining a base and height measurement for an obtuse triangle is more complicated than for an acute or right triangle. Still, the process is necessary in order to determine such things as the area or volume of the triangle.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Turn the obtuse triangle so that the shortest line of the triangle is on the bottom, and is horizontal. Locate the highest point on the obtuse triangle you are working with. Place the tip of your ruler on that point, allowing the ruler to extend down the page.
-
2
Draw a dotted line from that point straight down until it extends slightly past the horizontal line that forms the bottom of the triangle. Because the triangle is obtuse, the high point does not sit above the base, so you will need to eyeball where the base is.
-
-
3
Line your ruler up with the triangle's horizontal baseline. Use the pencil to extend the baseline until it intersects the vertical line you just made. Again, use a dotted line to do this.
-
4
Measure the length of the vertical line, from its point at the top to where it intersects the extended baseline, using the measurement units requested by your teacher. This is your obtuse triangle's height.
-
5
Measure the original horizontal baseline either in inches, centimeters or meters (as instructed by your teacher). This is your obtuse triangle's base.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Practice measuring the base and height of different obtuse triangles until you get the hang of it.
