Draw the figure, given the following clues:

  1. I am a polygon,
  2. I have no parallel lines,
  3. I am formed by 3 line segments,
  4. I have one right angle,
  5. Two of my angles are acute

1 Answer

We're drawing a right triangle with sides of a length that you like (just make sure to draw in one right angle!)

Explanation:

Let's work through this clue by clue:

I am a polygon - this means it is a multi-sided closed figure - when done, what is drawn will have a definite inside and outside.

I have no parallel lines - this means the figure won't be like a square or a rectangle or any other shape that has lines that run in the same direction (for example, a rectangle has 2 sets of parallel lines because the top and bottom lines run in the same direction as do the sides).

I am formed by 3 line segments - this is a very informative clue. We now know we have a 3 line figure, which means it's a triangle.

I have one right angle - another very informative clue. We'll take 2 lines and have them connect tail to tail and form a right angle (so have it corner just like the corner of a rectangle).

Two of my angles are acute - this is redundant but it's still a clue. We take the remaining line segment and have it connect tail to tail to the two segments we've already drawn.

So in the end we have a right triangle - and aside from being a right triangle, you can draw it how you like (meaning that the sides can be any length you like).