Question

Determine if the following side lengths can create a triangle:

5, 7, 13
A. Yes
B. No

Answer 1

No

Explanation:

Answer 2

No

Explanation:

In order for three sides to make a triangle, if any two sides are added together, their sum should be greater than the third side:

=> 5 + 7 = 12 < 13 (DOES NOT check off the rule)

=> 7 + 13 = 20 > 5 (Checks off the rule)

=> 5 + 13 = 18 > 7 (Checks off the rule)

As shown, even though 2 of the statements check off the rule the third one does not, this means that the sides don't make a triangle.

Hope this helps!