532,749 views
35 votes
35 votes
Could you build a triangle from each of the 3 lengths?

5, 5, 3
8, 8, 8
7, 8, 15
5, 6, 10
If so How many different triangles can i make from these side lengths

User Michael Lang
by
2.9k points

1 Answer

20 votes
20 votes
To form a triangle the sum of the two shorter sides must be greater than the longest side.
5, 5, 3 forms a triangle (isosceles)
8, 8, 8 forms a triangle (equilateral)
5, 6, 10 forms a triangle (obtuse angled scalene)

7, 8, 15 technically forms a triangle with an area of zero units. The vertices would be co-linear.
This will often be ignored as it has little practical use.

Fun fact. If you break a stick into 3 random lengths there is only a 25% chance they will be able to form a triangle.
User Bogdan Tudose
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3.0k points