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APRIL 15, 2024

APPLYING: TRIANGLE INEQUALITY THEOREM 3

Copy on your math notebook and answer the following exercises in a 1/2 sheet crosswise. Pass
it in our next meeting.

TRIANGLE INEQUALITY THEOREM 3

According to triangle inequality theorem 3, for any given triangle, the sum of two sides of a
triangle is always greater than the third side.

The triangle inequality theorem describes the relationship between the three sides of a triangle.
According to this theorem, for any triangle, the sum of lengths of two sides is always greater
than the third side. In other words, this theorem specifies that the shortest distance between
two distinct points is always a straight line.

Consider a ΔABC as shown below, with a, b and c as the side lengths

The triangle inequality theorem states that:

a + b > c,

b + a > c,

c + a > b.
Example Problems

Q.1. If 4cm, 8cm and 2cm are the measures of three lines segment. Can it be used to draw a
triangle?

Solution: The triangle is formed by three line segments 4cm, 8cm and 2cm, then it should
satisfy the inequality theorem.

Hence, let us check if the sum of two sides is greater than the third side.

4 + 8 > 2 ⇒ 12 > 2 ⇒ True

8 + 2 > 4 ⇒ 10 > 4 ⇒ True

4 + 2 > 8 ⇒ 6 > 8 ⇒ False

Therefore, the sides of the triangle do not satisfy the inequality theorem. So, we cannot
construct a triangle with these three line-segments.

Q.2: Could a triangle have side length as 6cm, 7cm and 5cm?

Solution: If 6cm, 7cm and 5cm are the sides of the triangle, then they should satisfy inequality
theorem.

Hence,

6 + 7 > 5 ⇒ 13 > 5 ⇒ True

7 + 5 > 6 ⇒ 12 > 6 ⇒ True

6 + 5 > 7 ⇒ 11 > 7 ⇒ True

All the three conditions are satisfied, therefore a triangle could have side length as 6cm, 7cm
and 5cm
Q.3: If the two sides of a triangle are 2 and 7. Find all the possible lengths of the third side.

Solution: To find the possible values of the third side of the triangle we can use the formula:

A difference of two sides< Unknown side < Sum of the two sides

7 -2 < x < 7 + 2

5 < x <9

There could be any value for the third side between 5 and 9.

Q.4: An acute triangle has sides measuring 10 cm and 16 cm. The length of the third side is
unknown. Find the range of possible values for the third side of the triangle.

Solution: Given that two sides of the triangle measure 10 cm and 16 cm, we can determine the
possible values for the length of the unknown side by applying the Triangle Inequality Theorem.

Subtract the lengths of the two known sides:

16cm - 10cm = 6cm

This results in the lower limit for the third side. The length of the third side must be greater than
6 cm.

Add the lengths of the two known sides:

16cm + 10cm = 26cm

This results in the upper limit for the third side. The length of the third side must be less than 26
cm.

Therefore, the range of possible values for the third side of the triangle is 6 cm < x < 26 cm. This
means the third side must be longer than 6 cm but shorter than 26 cm.

Final Answer: The length of the third side of the triangle is in the range 6 < x < 26 cm.
EXERCISES:

I. State if each set of three numbers can be the lengths of the sides of a triangle. Write YES or
NO as your concluding statement each item. Also, show your solution as verification to your
answer.

1. 7, 2, 11

2. 3, 5, 10

3. 13, 5, 11

4. 9, 12, 24

5. 11, 10, 8

II. Given are the lengths of two sides of a triangle, find the range of possible lengths for the third
side.

1. 10, 13

2. 5, 12

3. 11, 4

4. 9, 7

5. 4, 3