# Thread: [SOLVED] Help with Geometry homework. Triangles.

1. ## [SOLVED] Help with Geometry homework. Triangles.

I was currently working on problems that involve triangles. I am really confused on how to solve these. Teacher did not give sufficient information on how I could go about to solve this problem.

Here is an example of a problem.=

Each set of numbers below represents the lengths of three line segments.
Which set represent line segments that could be connected to form a triangle?

Then I am given a set of numbers.

Here is an example=

(3, 5, 7)=How would I know whether I connect them to form a triangle?

(3, 4, 8)=How would I know whether I connect them to form a triangle?

(1, 4, 6)=??-

(1, 3, 5)=??-

(5, 6, 11)=??-

(1, 10, 20)=??-

I do not want the answer. I just need some hints in the right direction on how to solve a problem of this kind. You may use this one as an example.

How would I go about to solve this kind of question? I have more than one question on these to answer.

Thanks for all the potential help.

2. Originally Posted by KevinVM20
I was currently working on problems that involve triangles. I am really confused on how to solve these. Teacher did not give sufficient information on how I could go about to solve this problem.

Here is an example of a problem.=

Each set of numbers below represents the lengths of three line segments.
Which set represent line segments that could be connected to form a triangle?

Then I am given a set of numbers.

Here is an example=

(3, 5, 7)=How would I know whether I connect them to form a triangle?

(3, 4, 8)=How would I know whether I connect them to form a triangle?

(1, 4, 6)=??-

(1, 3, 5)=??-

(5, 6, 11)=??-

(1, 10, 20)=??-

I do not want the answer. I just need some hints in the right direction on how to solve a problem of this kind. You may use this one as an example.

How would I go about to solve this kind of question? I have more than one question on these to answer.

Thanks for all the potential help.

Use the pythagorean theorem

A triangle is a right triangle if and only if $\displaystyle a^2+b^2=c^2$

remember c is the hypotenuse(the longest side)

I hope this helps good luck.

3. Originally Posted by KevinVM20
Each set of numbers below represents the lengths of three line segments. Which set represent line segments that could be connected to form a triangle? Here is an example=
(3, 5, 7)=How would I know whether I connect them to form a triangle?
(3, 4, 8)=How would I know whether I connect them to form a triangle?
(1, 4, 6)=??-
(1, 3, 5)=??-
(5, 6, 11)=??-
(1, 10, 20)=??-.
Originally Posted by TheEmptySet
Use the Pythagorean theorem.
I fear that TheEmptySet came up really empty on this one.
The Pythagorean theorem has very little to do with this problem.
The problem involves the triangle inequality: the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle must exceed the length of the third side.
From the problem, the triple (1, 4, 6) cannot be a triangle because $\displaystyle 1+4\le 6$, i.e. does not exceed.
Now do that for each triple. Be careful! In first one we must test all three pairs.

4. Originally Posted by Plato
I fear that TheEmptySet came up really empty on this one.
The Pythagorean theorem has very little to do with this problem.
The problem involves the triangle inequality: the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle must exceed the length of the third side.
From the problem, the triple (1, 4, 6) cannot be a triangle because $\displaystyle 1+4\le 6$, i.e. does not exceed.
Now do that for each triple. Be careful! In first one we must test all three pairs.
WOW my mistake...

What I said would only apply to right triangles....

Thanks Plato

5. Thanks Plato. I was able to solve the problems.

Originally Posted by Plato
I fear that TheEmptySet came up really empty on this one.
The Pythagorean theorem has very little to do with this problem.
The problem involves the triangle inequality: the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle must exceed the length of the third side.
From the problem, the triple (1, 4, 6) cannot be a triangle because $\displaystyle 1+4\le 6$, i.e. does not exceed.
Now do that for each triple. Be careful! In first one we must test all three pairs.

6. Originally Posted by KevinVM20
I was currently working on problems that involve triangles. I am really confused on how to solve these. Teacher did not give sufficient information on how I could go about to solve this problem.

Here is an example of a problem.=

Each set of numbers below represents the lengths of three line segments.
Which set represent line segments that could be connected to form a triangle?

Then I am given a set of numbers.

Here is an example=

(3, 5, 7)=How would I know whether I connect them to form a triangle?

(3, 4, 8)=How would I know whether I connect them to form a triangle?

(1, 4, 6)=??-

(1, 3, 5)=??-

(5, 6, 11)=??-

(1, 10, 20)=??-

I do not want the answer. I just need some hints in the right direction on how to solve a problem of this kind. You may use this one as an example.

How would I go about to solve this kind of question? I have more than one question on these to answer.

Thanks for all the potential help.
For a triangle, the sum of two smaller sides must be greater than the third side. If it is not, then, there does not form any triangle.

In (3, 5, 7) see that 3+5 = 8 >7 so they form a triangle.

In (3, 4, 7) see that 3+4=7 which is not greater than third side 7(it is same as 7). So no triangle forms.

In (1,4, 6) see the sum 1+4=5<6, so no triangle.

You got it now?