Question

1

Which side measurements represent the side lengths of a right triangle?
А
6 in.
2.5 in.
6.5 in.
B
4.5 in.
3 in.
7.5 in.
с
7 in.
4 in.
65 in.
D
8 in.
4 in.
12 in.

Answer 1

Explanation:

The pythagorean theorem goes: a^2 + b^2 = c^2

c is the hypotenuse of the right triangle, the longest side.

This means that by squaring the two shorter sides of an answer choice and seeing if they are equal to the longest side squared we can see if that answer choice contains the sides of a right triangle.

So, for example, lets look at answer choice B. 4.5^2 + 3^2 = 29.25 and 7.5^ = 56.25

29.25 is not equal to 56.25 so B is incorrect.

Doing the same process with answer choice A gets us: 6^2 + 2.5^2 = 42.25 and 6.5^2 = 42.25

This means a^2 + b^2 equals c^2 and answer choice A is our correct answer.