Altitude Definition

Altitude Definition The term altitude has different definitions or the meanings with reference to the different kinds of the theories. Altitude is actually the term of the mathematics which most of us refer to as the height. The altitude in every situation is found out to be perpendicular to that of the base. Let us discuss the meaning of the term altitude with reference to a triangle. The altitude in the case of a triangle is defined as the perpendicular distance from one of the side of the triangle or from the extension of the side of the triangle to the vertex of that triangle which is opposite to that side. Also the altitude of any triangle is very helpful in calculating the area of that triangle. The formula which we use very commonly to calculate the area of the triangle is equal to half multiplied by the base of the triangle multiplied by the height of that triangle. In this formula mentioned in the previous line the height is nothing but the altitude of the triangle or we can say that it is the perpendicular distance starting from the base of the triangle and ending at the vertex opposite to the base of that triangle.

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It should also be noticed here that in the case of a triangle the base may be any one side of the triangle and it is not necessary that it should be the side which is drawn at the bottom. Thus to find the area of any triangle we can consider any one side of the triangle as the base and after that the altitude which is at the right angle to the base is measured and these values are put in the formula given below. Area of the triangle = ( 1 / 2 ) * base * altitude The definition of the altitude can also be framed in another way. The altitude is regarded as a line that passes through any vertex of the triangle and which intersects the side opposite to that vertex at the right angle. It should be known that a triangle has 3 altitudes. Also there is one very interesting thing about these 3 altitudes of the triangle that is all the 3 altitudes of any triangle pass always through one common point which is known as the orthocenter of that triangle. Now we have understood the meaning of the term altitude with respect to a triangle so let us now have a look on the definition of the altitude with respect to any trapezoid or any parallelogram. In the case of a trapezoid or in the case of a parallelogram the altitude is defined as the distance measured from the one side of that figure or it can be from the extension of the side of that figure to the opposite side of that figure. Because the altitude should always be perpendicular to that of the base it is generally used for such types of the figures that do not possess a right angle. For example the figures like the right triangles, the squares and the rectangles that already possess a right angle do not need an altitude as the height in these cases is one of their sides.

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For construction of base and altitude we have to follow some steps which are given below: Step1: First we take two lines segment PQ and RS which defines the base length and altitude of a triangle. Step2: Then we draw a Point A which becomes one end of the base of a triangle. Step3: Now place the compass on point R and measure the length RS of the base of a triangle. Step4: with the help of compass draw an arc from point A. Step5: Mark point B, and draw a line AB, this is the other end of triangle. Step6: Now measure the base length with the help of compass and draw an arc on each side of a base line from point A and B. Step7: We get the perpendicular bisector of the base which divides the base into two equal parts. Step8: Now measure the distance of Point PQ, this is the altitude of a triangle. Step9: Then put the compass on the midpoint of the base line and draw an arc across the perpendicular. Step10: Then draw two sides AC and BC. Step11: At last we get base and altitude of triangle.

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