![altitude of a triangle altitude of a triangle](https://cdn1.byjus.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Altitude-And-Median-Of-A-Triangle-3.png)
Along with the use of trigonometric relationships, the altitudes of a triangle can be used to determine many characteristics of triangles. Each of the altitudes of a triangle forms a right triangle, and the altitudes of a triangle all intersect at a point referred to as the orthocenter. The base of a triangle is determined relative to a vertex of the triangle the base is the side of the triangle opposite the chosen vertex. Since all triangles have 3 vertices, every triangle has 3 altitudes, as shown in the figure below: An altitude of the isosceles triangle is shown in the figure below: In other words, an altitude in a triangle is defined as the perpendicular distance from a base of a triangle to the vertex opposite the base. In a triangle however, the altitude must pass through one of its vertices, and the line segment connecting the vertex and the base must be perpendicular to the base. In other geometric figures, such as those shown above (except for the cone), the altitude can be formed at multiple points in the figure.
![altitude of a triangle altitude of a triangle](https://www.onlinemathlearning.com/image-files/orthocenters.png)
Altitude in trianglesĪltitude in triangles is defined slightly differently than altitude in other geometric figures. Note that the altitude can be depicted at multiple points within the figures, not just the ones specifically shown. The dotted red lines in the figures above represent their altitudes.