TRIANGLE THEOREMS

angle
Theorem 1: If one side of a triangle is longer than a second side, then the ___________
opposite the first side is larger than the angle opposite the second side.
largest
• The longest side is opposite the __________________ angle.
smallest
• The shortest side is opposite the _________________ angle.
Examples:
Name the (a) smallest and (b) largest angles in the given triangles.
C
1. smallest _____ D
2. smallest _____ H
3. smallest _____

largest B
_____ largest F
_____ largest I
_____
H
B E

22 2x+15 2x
15 16 10

A D F
17 C 20 G x I

Theorem 2: side
If one angle of a triangle is larger than a second angle, then the __________
opposite the first angle is longer than the side opposite the second angle.

• longest
The largest angle is opposite the ___________________ side.
• shortest
The smallest angle is opposite the __________________ side.

Examples:
Name the (a) shortest and (b) longest side for each triangle.

AB
4. shortest _____ EF
5. shortest _____ HG
6. shortest _____

BC
longest _____ DF
longest _____ HI
longest _____

B H
D E 60
65 36 x

45 C 54
65 (x+5) 55 125
70
F G I
A
r.int + r.int = ext
x + x + 5 = 125
 2x = 120
X = 60
Triangle Inequality Theorem
The sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle is greater
than the length of the third side.
A
In ABC, >
AB + BC _____ AC,
>
AB + AC _____ BC, and
>
AC + BC _____ AB. C B

THE SUM OF THE TWO SMALLEST S MUST

To determine if the figure is a , ______________________________________

BE GREATER THAN THE LARGEST … SM + MED > LG

________________________________________________________________

Examples:
Is it possible for a triangle to have sides with the lengths indicated?
1. 4, 8, 3 2. 3, 4, 5 3. 7, 6, 13 4. 9, 9, 5

4+3?8 3+4?5 7 + 6 ? 13 5+9?9

NOT >, YES >, NOT >, YES >,
NO   NO  

The lengths of the two sides of a triangle are given. Write the numbers that best complete the
statement: The length of the third side must be (a) greater than ___, but (b) less than ___.

5. 5, 15 6. 10.5, 7.5

10 (15-5)
(a) _____ 3
(a) _____ (10.5-7.5)

20 (15+5)
(b) _____ 18 (10.5+7.5)
(b) _____