Marking a 30° -60° Right Triangle

The shortest side of the 30° -60° right triangle is always half as long as the longest side (hypotenuse). Follow the instructions below to draw a 30° -60° right triangle.

First: Use your knowledge of drawing and bisecting angles to draw a 30° angle.

Second: From a point along the horizontal line, draw a perpendicular line that crosses the 30° line. Measure the shortest side (the perpendicular line) and the longest side (the hypotenuse) to confirm that the hypotenuse is twice as long as the shortest side.

If you are not convinced of the relationship between the longest and shortest side of a 30° -60° right triangle, draw another perpendicular line along the 30° line and measure that 30° -60° right triangle.