How to Graph Triangles and Quadrilaterals?

Step by Step guide to graphing triangles and quadrilaterals

It is better to get familiar with triangles and quadrilaterals before graphing them:

What is a triangle?

A triangle is a simple polygon with \(3\) sides and \(3\) interior angles. It is one of the basic shapes in geometry in which \(3\) vertices are connected and denoted by a symbol \(△\).

What is a quadrilateral? 

A quadrilateral is a polygon with four sides, four angles, and four vertices. Whenever we name a quadrilateral, we must consider the order of the vertices.

How to graph triangles and quadrilaterals?

The following steps will be useful to graph triangles and quadrilaterals on the coordinate plane:

1. Mark the given points on the graph sheet one by one.

• \((x, y) \rightarrow\)  Choose the first quadrant
• \((-x, y) \rightarrow\) Choose the second quadrant
• \((-x, -y)\rightarrow\) Choose the third quadrant
• \((x, -y) \rightarrow\) Choose the fourth quadrant

2. Join the marked points.

3. Name the vertices.

Graphing Triangles and Quadrilaterals – Example 1:

Graph the triangle with vertices \((2, -3)\), \((-6, -7)\) and \((-8, -3)\).

Solution:

\((2, -3)\rightarrow (x, -y)\rightarrow\) lies in the fourth quadrant

\((-6, -7)\rightarrow (-x, -y) \rightarrow\) lies in the third quadrant

\((-8, -3) \rightarrow (-x, -y)\rightarrow\) lies in the third quadrant

By plotting the given points, we got above triangle \(ABC\).

Exercises for Graphing Triangles and Quadrilaterals

Graph following shapes.

• \(\color{blue}{(8, 3), (0, -1), (-2, 3), (6, 7)}\)

• \(\color{blue}{(-7, -5), (-4, 3), (5, 6), (2, –2)}\) 

• \(\color{blue}{(8, 3), (0, -1), (-2, 3), (6, 7)}\)

• \(\color{blue}{(-7, -5), (-4, 3), (5, 6), (2, –2)}\)