Constructing a Triangle, Given 3 Sides

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Drag the sliders labeled AB, AC, and BC to adjust the given sides.
Drag point B to rotate the construction.
Drag point A to move the whole construction.

  1. Choose an initial point A.
  2. Swing a circle centered at A, of radius the length of the first given side.
  3. Choose point B on this circle.
  4. Draw segment AB.
  5. Swing a circle centered at A, of radius the length of the second given side.
  6. Swing a circle centered at B, of radius the length of the third given side.
  7. Choose one of the two points of intersection of these last two circles, call it C.
  8. Draw segment AC.
  9. Draw segment BC.

Does this work for any given sides, or are there some combinations of sides that are impossible to realize?

Copyright © 2003 Joe Christy joe @ eshu.net.

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