Theorem - Angle opposite to equal sides of an isosceles triangle are equal

Last Updated : 9 Feb, 2026

An isosceles triangle is a triangle that has two sides of equal length. Examples of isosceles triangles include the isosceles right triangle, the golden triangle, and the faces of bipyramids and certain Catalan solids.

Theorem Statement: Angle opposite to equal sides of an isosceles triangle are equal.

Proof:

1
Isosceles triangle ABC

Given, an Isosceles triangle ABC, where the length of side AB equals the length of side AC.

Therefore, AB = AC

Construction:

Let us draw the bisector of ∠A

Let D be the point of intersection of this bisector of ∠A and BC.

Therefore ,by construction ∠BAD = ∠CAD.

In ∆BAD and ∆DAC,

AB = AC (Given)

∠BAD = ∠CAD (By construction)

AD = AD (Common side in both triangle) 

So, ∆BAD ≅ ∆CAD (By SAS rule)

So, ∠ABD = ∠ACD, since they are corresponding angles of congruent triangles.

So, ∠B = ∠C

Hence, Proved that an angle opposite to equal sides of an isosceles triangle is equal.

Note: The converse of this theorem is also true. The sides opposite to equal angles of a triangle are also equal.

Sample Problems Based on the Theorem

Problem 1: E and F are respectively the mid-points of equal sides AB and AC of ∆ABC (see given figure). Show that BF = CE.

2

Given:

Length of side AB = AC

To show: BF = CE

In  ∆ABF and ∆ACE,

AB = AC (Given)

∠A =  ∠A (Common)

AF = AE (Halves of equal sides)

So, ∆ABF ≅ ∆ACE (SAS rule)

Since, If two triangles are congruent, their corresponding sides are equal.

Therefore, BF = CE ( by CPCT)

Problem 2: Given an ∆ABC whose perimeter is 13 cm and ∠ABC = ∠ACB and length of side BC equals 3 cm. Find the length of side AB and AC.

3

Given:

BC = 3cm, Perimeter of   ∆ABC = 13cm

∠ABC = ∠ACB

Since ∠ABC = ∠ACB , therefore by applying theorem, the sides opposite to equal angles of a triangle are also equal.

So, length of side AB = AC.

Let the side of AB be x.

Therefore, Perimeter = AB + BC + AC

13 = x + 3 + x ( Since, AB = AC )

13 = 2x + 3

13 - 3 = 2x

10/2 = x

Therefore x = 5

So, the length of side AB and AC is 5 cm.

Practice Problems

  1. In triangle ABC, AB = AC and ∠B = 45°. Find ∠C.
  2. In triangle DEF, DE = DF and ∠D = 70°. Find ∠E and ∠F.
  3. In triangle GHI, GH = GI and ∠H = 30°. Find ∠I.
  4. In triangle JKL, JK = JL and ∠K = 55°. Find ∠L.
  5. In triangle MNO, MN = MO and ∠N = 75°. Find ∠O.
  6. In triangle PQR, PQ = PR and ∠P = 40°. Find ∠Q and ∠R.
  7. In triangle STU, ST = SU and ∠S = 60°. Find ∠T and ∠U.
  8. In triangle VWX, VW = VX and ∠V = 50°. Find ∠W and ∠X.
  9. In triangle YZA, YZ = YA and ∠Y = 35°. Find ∠Z and ∠A.
  10. In triangle BCD, BC = BD and ∠B = 80°. Find ∠C and ∠D.
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