Triangles can be grouped according to how long their sides are:
if all the three sides of a triangle have the same length, then we have an equilateral triangle;
if a triangle has two sides with the same length, then we have an isosceles triangle;
if all the three sides of a triangle have different lengths, then we have a scalene triangle.
Triangles can also be grouped by their angles:
if a triangle has a right angle, that is, if one of the angles of that triangle measures 90° (90 degrees), then we have a right triangle. The opposite side to the right angle is the hypotenuse;
if a triangle has an obtuse angle, that is, if one of the angles of that triangle is larger than 90°, then we have an obtuse triangle;
if a triangle has only acute angles, that is, if all the angles of that triangle are less than 90°, then we have an acute triangle.
Equilateral triangle
Isosceles triangle
Scalene triangle
Right triangle
Obtuse triangle
Acute triangle
Uses
Triangles are extremely useful, because the ratio of the length of sides to an angle is always the same. Measuring objects using triangles is called trigonometry. Some people have spent their entire lives studying triangles for use in trigonometry.
Modern computers usually use triangles to make more complex graphic images or shapes.