Geometry Basics: Triangles

[Music]

THE BANK OF CHINA TOWER IN HONG KONG

IS STYLISH AND STRONG.

SKYSCRAPERS BUILT HERE HAVE TO WITHSTAND

STRONG WINDS DURING TYPHOON SEASON.

THE ARCHITECT OF THE BANK OF CHINA TOWER, I.M. PEI,

RELIED ON THE USE OF A STRONG TRIANGULAR BASE

TO REINFORCE THE TOWER.

ARCHITECTS USE TRIANGULAR SHAPES

TO HELP STRENGTHEN BUILDINGS.

BUT WHAT IS IT ABOUT TRIANGLES

THAT MAKES FOR GOOD ARCHITECTURAL SUPPORT?

WHY AREN'T RECTANGLES OR OTHER POLYGONS AS USEFUL?

WHILE SQUARES, POLYGONS AND CIRCLES ARE OFTEN USED

BY ARCHITECTS, THE TRIANGLE HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE

WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPORT.

IN THIS PROGRAM YOU WILL EXPLORE THE PROPERTIES

OF TRIANGLES AND YOU WILL SEE HOW THESE PROPERTIES

ARE USED TO SOLVE REAL-WORLD PROBLEMS.

IN PARTICULAR, THE FOLLOWING CONCEPTS ARE EXPLORED: