Isosceles triangle two equal sides, and for isosceles sets, sets of points every three of which form an isosceles triangle. In an isosceles triangle that has exactly two equal sides, the equal sides are called legs and the third side is called the base. The angle included by the legs is called the "vertex angle" and the angles that have the base as one of their sides are called the "base angles". The vertex opposite the base is called the apex. In the equilateral triangle case, since all sides are equal, any side can be called the base. Whether an isosceles triangle
Triangle inequality angles satisfy: Therefore, and so, in particular, That means side opposite angle is shorter than side opposite the larger angle . But . Hence: A similar construction shows , establishing the theorem. An alternative proof (also based upon the triangle postulate) proceeds by considering three positions for point : (i) as depicted (which is to be proven), or (ii) coincident with (which would mean the isosceles triangle had two right angles as base angles plus the vertex angle , which would violate the triangle postulate), or lastly, (iii) interior to the right triangle between points and (in which case angle