Question

Which of the following sets of numbers could not represent the three sides of a triangle?

1. 11,25,35 2. 15,24,39
3. 9,20,26 4. 9,13,21

Answer 1

Answer: 15, 24, 39 (Choice 2)

Reason:

a+b = 15+24 = 39 is NOT larger than c = 39

Since a+b > c is false, a triangle is NOT possible.

The sum of any two sides must exceed the third side for a triangle to be possible. For more information, check out the triangle inequality theorem.