Homework Help: Another Isosceles Triangle Problem

1. Feb 22, 2012

Bashyboy

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
In isosceles triangle RST, RS = RT. Which side of the triangle is the base? Which angle is the vertex angle?

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
I believe the base is RT, and the vertex angle is S. I don't know the proper notation to name the line segment and the angle, though. How would you write the answer properly?

2. Feb 22, 2012

Dick

Why do you think that? Draw a triangle and label the vertices R, S and T. RS is the segment connecting R and S. RT is the segment connecting R and T. What's the segment that is the base?

3. Feb 23, 2012

Bashyboy

My goodness, I have made a few good blunders in these past two posts. It should actually be RS = ST

4. Feb 23, 2012

Dick

Ok, then I'll agree with you. Base is RT and the vertex angle is the angle at vertex S. Sometimes you'll see that written as $\angle RST$.

5. Feb 23, 2012

Bashyboy

Thank you so much. Sorry for all of the posts--I have a great geometry textbook I found, but no answer key to accompany it.