How many sides does a triangle have?

General
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How many sides does a triangle have?

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How many sides does a triangle have?

Answer: The question of how many sides a triangle has is straightforward and fundamental in geometry. A triangle is defined as a polygon with three sides and three angles. Here’s a detailed explanation:

  1. Definition of a Triangle:

    • A triangle is a three-sided polygon. The word “triangle” itself is derived from Latin, where ‘tri-’ means three and ‘angulus’ means angle. Thus, it literally means “three angles”.

  2. Structure of a Triangle:

    • A triangle is composed of three line segments. Each line segment connects two vertices, and the three line segments together create a closed figure.

  3. Properties of a Triangle:

    • Sides: As mentioned, a triangle has exactly three sides.
    • Vertices: It has three vertices (where the sides meet).
    • Angles: It contains three interior angles. The sum of the interior angles of a triangle is always (180^\circ).

  4. Types of Triangles Based on Sides and Angles:

    • Equilateral Triangle: All three sides and all three angles are equal.
      • Each angle is ( 60^\circ ).
    • Isosceles Triangle: At least two sides are equal in length, and the angles opposite these sides are equal.
    • Scalene Triangle: All three sides and all three angles are different.
    • Right Triangle: One of the angles is ( 90^\circ ).

Final Answer: A triangle has \boxed{three} sides.

Understanding these fundamental properties of a triangle can help in grasping more complex geometric concepts.