C++ Object-Oriented Programming: Triangle classification

C++ Object oriented programming: Exercise-6 with Solution

An equilateral triangle is a triangle in which all three sides are equal.

A scalene triangle is a triangle that has three unequal sides.

An isosceles triangle is a triangle with (at least) two equal sides.

Visual Presentation:

Write a C++ program to create a class called Triangle that has private member variables for the lengths of its three sides. Implement member functions to determine if the triangle is equilateral, isosceles, or scalene.

Sample Solution:

C Code:

#include <iostream> // Include necessary header for input/output stream

class Triangle { // Define a class named Triangle
  private: 
    double side1; // Private member variable to store side1 of the triangle
    double side2; // Private member variable to store side2 of the triangle
    double side3; // Private member variable to store side3 of the triangle

  public:
    // Constructor to initialize Triangle object with provided side lengths
    Triangle(double s1, double s2, double s3): side1(s1), side2(s2), side3(s3) {}

    // Member function to determine the type of the triangle
    void determineType() {
      if (side1 == side2 && side2 == side3) { // Check if all sides are equal
        std::cout << "Equilateral Triangle" << std::endl; // Output if all sides are equal
      } else if (side1 == side2 || side1 == side3 || side2 == side3) { // Check if at least two sides are equal
        std::cout << "Isosceles Triangle" << std::endl; // Output if at least two sides are equal
      } else {
        std::cout << "Scalene Triangle" << std::endl; // Output if no sides are equal
      }
    }
};

int main() {
  // Create a triangle object
  double s1, s2, s3; // Define variables for side lengths
  std::cout << "Input the lengths of the three sides of the triangle:\n"; // Prompt user to input side lengths
  std::cout << "Side1: ";
  std::cin >> s1; // Input for side1
  std::cout << "Side2: ";
  std::cin >> s2; // Input for side2
  std::cout << "Side3: ";
  std::cin >> s3; // Input for side3

  Triangle triangle(s1, s2, s3); // Create Triangle object with provided side lengths

  // Determine the type of triangle and output the result
  triangle.determineType(); // Call determineType method to identify the triangle type

  return 0; // Return 0 to indicate successful completion
}

Sample Output:

 Input the lengths of the three sides of the triangle:
Side1: 3
Side2: 3
Side3: 3
Equilateral Triangle

Input the lengths of the three sides of the triangle:
Side1: 3
Side2: 4
Side3: 5
Scalene Triangle

Input the lengths of the three sides of the triangle:
Side1: 5
Side2: 5
Side3: 7
Isosceles Triangle

Explanation:

In the above exercise,

• The Triangle class is defined with private member variables side1, side2, and side3 representing the lengths of the triangle's sides.
• The constructor Triangle initializes the side1, side2, and side3 member variables.
• The member function determineType determines the type of triangle based on its side lengths. It checks if all three sides are equal to classify it as an equilateral triangle. If two sides are equal, it is an isosceles triangle. Otherwise, it is considered a scalene triangle. The appropriate message is displayed based on classification.

Flowchart:

CPP Code Editor:

Contribute your code and comments through Disqus.

Previous C++ Exercise: Bank Account Class.
Next C++ Exercise: Employee salary calculation.