Answer:
Yes, it can make a right triangle.
Explanation:
We can use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine if the sides make a right triangle.
![a^2+b^2=c^2](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/96dopf217hvzc3zhswffnjr8l5f26vmjhb.png)
We are given the side lengths: 5cm, 13cm, and 12 cm.
13cm is the longest, so it would be 'c'.
5cm and 12cm will be 'a' and 'b'.
Let 5 be 'a', 12 be 'b', and 13 be 'c':
![5^2+12^2=13^2\\\\\text{Solve the Exponents:}\\ \rightarrow 5^2=25\\\rightarrow 12^2=144\\\rightarrow 13^2=169\\\\25+144=169\\\boxed{169=169}](https://img.qammunity.org/2021/formulas/mathematics/high-school/p6857ur78axbvwlk1mn1yahthxxpbxw5yv.png)
5cm, 13cm, and 12 cm would make a right triangle. It satisfies the Pythagorean Theorem.