Question

Which of the following sets of numbers could represent the three sides of a right triangle?

A) {9,12,14}
B) {11,59,61}
C) {48,55,73}
D) {8,40,41}

Answer 1

9514 1404 393

Answer:

C) {48, 55, 73}

Explanation:

In general, you see which sets of numbers satisfy the Pythagorean theorem. The tedium can be relieved slightly by letting a spreadsheet do the calculations.

The attachment shows us that triangle C is a right triangle.

_____

You may recognize some of the answer choice triples as being "near" some familiar Pythagorean triples:

{3, 4, 5} × 3 = {9, 12, 15} . . . near A)

{11, 60, 61} . . . . near B)

{9, 40, 41} . . . . near D)

The highlighted numbers are the indication that the nearby answer choice is NOT a right triangle.