Why are triangles used in bridges?

Triangles are used in bridges because they evenly distribute weight without changing
their proportions. When force is applied on a shape like a rectangle it would flatten
out. Before triangles were used in bridges, they were weak and could not be
very big. To solve that problem engineers would put a post in the middle of
a square and make it more sturdy.

This beam turns he square into two triangles that can each distribute weight evenly.
the square is not able to buckle because the middle beam is fastened to the
corners of the square. The corners can't move any closer or any farther from each
other because the beam keeps them in place. Architects use many triangles in
bridges.

What types of triangles

Equilateral triangles are most commonly used in truss bridges, while scalene
triangles are commonly used in more modern designs. just about all bridges use
right triangles.
Method to prove similar triangle : AAA

Definition: Triangles are similar if the measure of all three interior angles in
one triangle are the same as the corresponding angles in the another triangle.
EXAMPLE

If all three angles in one triangle are the same as the corresponding angles in the other,
then the triangles are similar. So for example, in the triangle above the interior angle P
is exactly equal to the corresponding angle L in the other triangle. Q is equal to M,
and R is equal to N. And so, because all three corresponding angles are equal, the
triangles are similar.Because the triangles are similar, this means that the three pairs of
corresponding sides are in the same proportion to each other

Similar triangles can be rotated and/or mirror images of each other (reflected).In the
figure on the right, each angle in one triangle is equal to the corresponding angle in the
other, and so are still similar even though triangle is the mirror image of the other,
rotated and bigger.
Statement: If in two triangles, the corresponding angles are equal, i.e., if the two
triangles are equiangular, then the triangles are similar.

Given : Triangles ABC and DEF such that A = D; B = E; C = F

Prove that : ABC ~ DEF

Construction : We mark point P on the line DE and Q on the line DF such that AB = DP
and AC = DQ, we join PQ.

There are three cases :

Case ( i ) : AB = DE, thus P coincides with E.

Statements Reasons
1) AB = DE 1) According to 1st case
2) A = D 2) Given
3) B = E 3) Given
4) ABC DEF 4) By ASA postulate

AB = DE, BC = EF and AC = DF

Consequently, Q coincides with F.

AB BC CA
---- = ------ = ------
DE EF FA

Since the corresponding angles are equal, we conclude that ABC ~ DEF.

Case( ii ) : AB < DE. Then P lies in DE

In triangles ABC and DPQ,

Statements Reasons

1) By
1) AB = DP
construction
2) A = D 2) Given
 3) By
3) AC = DQ
construction
4) ABC 4) By SAS
DPQ postulate
5) B =
5) CPCTC
DPQ
6) B = E 6) Given
7) By
7) E = transitive
DPQ property
( from above)
8) If two
corresponding
angles are
8) PQ || EF
congruent
then the lines
are parallel
9) By basic
9) DP/DE =
proportionality
DQ/DF
theorem
10) AB/DE 10) By
= BC/EF construction
11) By
11) AB/DE
substitution
= AC/DF
property
12) ABC 12) By SAS
~ DEF postulate
Case ( iii ): If AB > DE. Then P lies on DE produced.

Proof for this case is same as above case ( ii ).