Question

Determine if the three numbers form a

triangle. If they do, is it an acute, obtuse,
or right triangle?

12, 20, 24

A. acute
B. right
C. obtuse
D. not a triangle

Answer 1

In order for three numbers to form a triangle, the sum of any of the two numbers must be greater than the third number. In this case, 12+20>24, 20+24>12, and 12+24>20. Therefore, this is a triangle.

c^2_a^2+b^2

24^2_12^2+20^2

576_144+400

576_544

576>544

This is an obtuse triangle, as c^2>a^2+b^2.

Explanation: