5.

5 INEQUALITIES IN
TRIANGLES

Chapter 5
Relationships Within Triangles
WARM UP
 Look up and write out the Triangle Exterior Angle
Theorem:
5.5 INEQUALITIES IN TRIANGLES
 Corollary to the Triangle Exterior Angle Theorem:
The measure of an exterior angle of a triangle
is greater than the measure of each of its
remote interior angles.

2 1

m<1 > m<2 and m<1 > m<3

APPLYING THE COROLLARY
 m<2 = m<1 by the Isosceles Triangle Theorem. Explain
why m<2 > m>3.

3
1

m<1 > m<3 + m<4 because

<1 is the exterior angle, so 4
m<1 > m<3. 2

By substitution property, m< 2 > m<3,

since m<2 = m<1.
THEOREM 5-10
 If two sides of a triangle are not congruent, then the
larger angle lies opposite the longer side.
Y

11 12

X
14
Z

<Y is the largest angle.

COMPARING ANGLES
 A landscape architect is designing a triangular deck. She
wants to place benches in the two larger corners. Which
corners have the larger angles?
A
27ft

C
18ft

21ft

<B and <A are the larger angles, <C is the smallest.
THEOREM 5-11
 If two sides of a triangle are not congruent, then the
longer side lies opposite the larger angle.
Y

98

48
34
X
Z

XZ is the longest side.

USING THEOREM 5-11
 Which side is the shortest?
T

66 TV is the shortest side.

52 62
U V
Y

80

YZ is the shortest side

60
40 Z
X
THEOREM 5-12
 Triangle Inequality Theorem:
The sum of the lengths of any two sides of a
triangle is greater than the length of the third side.

c a+b>c
a
b+c>a

c+a>b

b
TRIANGLE INEQUALITY THEOREM
 Can a triangle have sides with the given lengths?
 3ft, 7ft, 8ft

Yes, 3 + 7 = 10 and 10 > 8

 3cm, 6cm, 10cm

No, 3 + 6 = 9 and 9 is not greater than 10

TRIANGLE INEQUALITY THEOREM
 Can a triangle have sides with the given lengths?
 2m, 7m, 9m

No, 2 + 7 = 9, and 9 is not greater than 9

 4yd, 6yd, 9yd

Yes, 4 + 6 = 10 and 10 is greater than 9

FINDING POSSIBLE SIDE LENGTHS
 A triangle has side lengths of 8cm and 10cm. Describe
the possible lengths of the third side.

To answer this kind of question, add the numbers together and

Subtract the small number from the larger number.

8 + 10 = 18 10 – 8 = 2

The value of the third side must be greater

Than 2 and less than 18.
(x > 2 and x < 18)

2cm < x < 18cm

FINDING POSSIBLE SIDE LENGTHS
 A triangle has side lengths of 3in and 12in. Describe the
possible lengths of the third side.

To answer this kind of question, add the numbers together and

Subtract the small number from the larger number.

3 + 12 = 15 12 – 3 = 9

The value of the third side must be greater

Than 9 and less than 15. (x > 9 and x < 15)

9in < x < 15in

PRACTICE
 Pg 294 1,2, 3, 4, 6, 16-27 even, 35-37