7.

5 The Triangle
Inequality
USE THE TRIANGLE INEQUALITY THEOREM TO IDENTIFY
POSSIBLE TRIANGLES AND TO PROVE TRIANGLE
RELATIONSHIPS
The Triangle Inequality Theorem

The sum of the lengths of

any two sides of a
triangle must be greater
than the length of the
third side.
Example 1: Is it possible to form a triangle with
the given side lengths? If not, explain why not.

A. 15 𝑦𝑑, 16 𝑦𝑑, 30 𝑦𝑑
15 + 16 > 30 15 + 30 > 16 16 + 30 > 15
31 > 30 45 > 16 46 > 15

Since the sum of each pair of side lengths is greater

than the third side length, side lengths 15 yd, 16 yd
and 30 yd will form a triangle.
B. 2 𝑓𝑡, 8 𝑓𝑡, 11 𝑓𝑡

2 + 8 > 11
10 > 11
CONTRADICTION, 10 < 11

Since the sum of one pair is not greater than the

third side, the lengths 2 ft, 8 ft and 11 ft will not
form a triangle.
Example 2: If the measures of two sides are 5 yards
and 9 yards what is the least possible measure of the
third side if the measure is an integer
5 𝑦𝑑, 9 𝑦𝑑, 𝑥 𝑦𝑑

5+9>𝑥 5+𝑥 >9 9+𝑥 >5

14 > 𝑥 𝑥>4 𝑥 > −4
𝑥 < 14

Since 𝑥 has to be an integer that is greater than

4, the least possible measure of the third side can
have a measure of 5
Example 3: Find the range of possible measures of
𝑥 if each set of expressions represents measures of the
sides of a triangle.
A. 𝑥 + 1, 5, 7
𝑥+1+5>7 𝑥+1+7>5 5+7>𝑥+1
𝑥+6 >7 𝑥+8>5 12 > 𝑥 + 1
𝑥>1 𝑥 > −3 11 > 𝑥
𝑥 < 11

1 < 𝑥 < 11
 B. 𝑥, 2𝑥 + 1, 𝑥 + 4
𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 1 > 𝑥 + 4 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 4 > 2𝑥 + 1 2𝑥 + 1 + 𝑥 + 4 > 𝑥
3𝑥 + 1 > 𝑥 + 4 2𝑥 + 4 > 2𝑥 + 1 3𝑥 + 5 > 𝑥
2𝑥 > 3 0 > −3 2𝑥 > −5
3 5
𝑥> 𝑥>−
2 2
3
𝑥>
2
Example 4: Write a two column proof
Given: 𝑋𝑊 ≅ 𝑌𝑊 STATEMENTS REASONS
Prove: 𝑌𝑍 + 𝑍𝑊 > 𝑋𝑊 1. 𝑋𝑊 ≅ 𝑌𝑊 1. Given
2. 𝑋𝑊 = 𝑌𝑊 2. Def. of ≅ segments

3. 𝑌𝑍 + 𝑍𝑊 > 𝑌𝑊 3. Triangle Inequality

Theorem

4. 𝑌𝑍 + 𝑍𝑊 > 𝑋𝑊 4. Substitution
 Example 5: Write a two-column proof
STATEMENTS REASONS
Given: 𝐺𝐿 = 𝐿𝐾
Prove: 𝐽𝐻 + 𝐺𝐻 > 𝐽𝐾 1. 𝐺𝐿 = 𝐿𝐾 1. Given
2. 𝐽𝐻 + 𝐺𝐻 > 𝐺𝐽 2. Triangle
inequality theorem
3. 𝐺𝐿 + 𝐿𝐽 = 𝐺𝐽 3. Segment addition
postulate
4. JH + GH > 𝐺𝐿 + 𝐿𝐽 4. Substiution
5. JH + GH > 𝐿𝐾 + 𝐿𝐽 5. Substitution
6. 𝐿𝐾 + 𝐿𝐽 > 𝐽𝐾 6. Triangle
inequality theorem
7. JH + GH > 𝐽𝐾 7. Transitive Property
Pg. 449 (6,8,12,14,18,20,21,29,38,40)