Incenter - 2019

Topic:
Geometry

Follow the steps below to construct the incenter on the triangle given above.

Step 1: Use Toolbar Image to construct the angle bisectors of angles A, B and C. Step 2: Use Toolbar Image to add a point where the three angle bisectors intersect. Step 3: Use Toolbar Image to label the point where the angle bisectors intersect.

The point where all three angle bisectors intersect is called the incenter. 1. No matter how you move the triangle, the incenter is always inside the triangle. Use Toolbar Image to adjust the triangle. What do you notice about vertex A if it is very close to the incenter?

Select all that apply
  • A
  • B
  • C

2. Use Toolbar Image to adjust the triangle so that one vertex is definitely farther from the incenter than the other vertices. What do you notice about the angle measure of that vertex in relation to the other vertices?

Select all that apply
  • A
  • B
  • C

Use Toolbar Image to draw the segment from the incenter to point D. Use Toolbar Image to draw the segment from the incenter to point E Use Toolbar Image to draw the segment from the incenter to point F. 3. These segments show the shortest distance from the incenter to each side of the triangle. Measure the angle between each segment and the triangle side it intersects. What do you notice?

Select all that apply
  • A
  • B
  • C

Incenter Properties

Use Toolbar Imageto measure the length of each segment from the incenter. Use Toolbar Image to drag a vertex of the triangle around. 4. What do you notice about the distance from the incenter to each side of the triangle?

The Circle

Toolbar ImageConstruct a circle that is inside the triangle and touches each side of the triangle once. 5. Why do you think the name incenter was given to the point we are exploring in this activity?

Application for Incenter

6. For which of the following situations, would it make sense to find the incenter?

Select all that apply
  • A
  • B
  • C