Triangle inequality, step by step
Not every three lengths make a triangle.
The question
YesNo
Can these be the sides of a triangle?
Can it be a triangle?
4+10vs16
14<16
No
- Three lengths make a triangle only when the two shorter sides add to more than the longest. The two shorter are 4 and 10; the longest is 16.
- 4 + 10 = 14, which is less than 16.
- The two shorter sides do not reach past the longest, so they cannot close. No.
How it works.
- 01
Three lengths make a triangle only when the two shorter sides add to more than the longest. The two shorter are 4 and 10; the longest is 16.
- 02
4 + 10 = 14, which is less than 16.
- 03
The two shorter sides do not reach past the longest, so they cannot close. No.