Triangle Dice Game: Isosceles, Scalene, Equilateral, Right, Acute, Obtuse

Here's a deceptively simple dice game to practice identifying and creating six kinds of triangles. Three are classified by their angles: acute, right, and obtuse. Three are classified by their side lengths: scalene, equilateral, and isosceles.

Use this game to reinforce the definitions of each of these six triangles in a geometry/measurement unit.

Students work independently or in small groups. Each player needs two dice. They roll them and use the two numbers as side lengths in centimetres for a triangle. They draw the triangle in one of the boxes on their paper and measure and label the third side length.

Here's where the strategy and critical thinking come in. Can students make six kinds of triangles in less than six turns? Maybe! If they get some lucky rolls! For example, if a student gets a roll with two of the same numbers, they should make an isosceles or equilateral triangle (depending on what angles they draw). But this triangle will also be an acute triangle (or an isosceles right triangle). Clever students (with lucky rolls) should be able to complete the task in less than six turns.

Standards:

CCSS 4.G.A.2 Classify two-dimensional figures based on the presence or absence of parallel or perpendicular lines, or the presence or absence of angles of a specified size. Recognize right triangles as a category, and identify right triangles.

CCSS 7.G.A.2 Draw (freehand, with ruler and protractor, and with technology) geometric shapes with given conditions. Focus on constructing triangles from three measures of angles or sides, noticing when the conditions determine a unique triangle, more than one triangle, or no triangle.

Grades:

This game works well in classes from grades 4-7. Ideally students know how to use a ruler and a protractor.

If you enjoy this product, check out the other math games in my store Grace Under Pressure

1 page PDF Triangle Dice Game Sheet