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How can I determine if the three numbers can be the side lengths of a triangle?

How can I determine if the three numbers can be the side lengths of a triangle?-example-1
User Shf
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1 Answer

1 vote

we know that

The triangle inequality theorem states that : Any side of a triangle must be shorter than the other two sides added together

so

Verify the theorem in each case

Part 1) 3,4,5

we have that

3 < 4+5

3 <9 ----> is ok

4 < 3+5

4 < 8 ----> is ok

5 < 3+4

5 <7 ----> is ok

therefore

the three numbers can be the side lengths of a triangle

Part 2) we have

3,7,10

10 < 3+7

10 < 10 ----> is not true

therefore

the three numbers can not be the side lengths of a triangle

Part 3)

we have

6.2, 7.9, 12.5

12.5 < 6.2+7.9

12.5 < 14.10 ---> is ok

6.2 < 7.9+12.5 ----> is ok

7.9 < 6.2+12.5 ----> is ok

therefore

the three numbers can be the side lengths of a triangle

Part 4

we have

2,8,9

9 < 2+8 ----> is ok

2 < 8+9 ----> is ok

8 < 2+9 ----> is ok

therefore

the three numbers can be the side lengths of a triangle

Part 5

we have

10,20,50

50 < 10+20 ------> is not ok

therefore

the three numbers can not be the side lengths of a triangle

User Pmg
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