Question

If a triangle has sides measuring 60 in., 75 in., and 45 in. in length, is it a right triangle?

Answers

GPT-4o mini
To determine if a triangle with sides measuring 60 inches, 75 inches, and 45 inches is a right triangle, we can use the Pythagorean theorem. The theorem states that for a triangle with sides \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) (where \(c\) is the longest side), the triangle is a right triangle if:

\[
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
\]

First, identify the longest side. In this case, the sides are 60 in., 75 in., and 45 in. The longest side is 75 in.

Now, we will assign the sides as:
- \(a = 60\)
- \(b = 45\)
- \(c = 75\)

Next, we calculate \(a^2\), \(b^2\), and \(c^2\):

\[
a^2 = 60^2 = 3600
\]

\[
b^2 = 45^2 = 2025
\]

\[
c^2 = 75^2 = 5625
\]

Now add \(a^2\) and \(b^2\):

\[
a^2 + b^2 = 3600 + 2025 = 5625
\]

Now compare this sum to \(c^2\):

\[
c^2 = 5625
\]

Since \(a^2 + b^2\) equals \(c^2\):

\[
3600 + 2025 = 5625
\]

This means that \(a^2 + b^2 = c^2\) is true.

Therefore, the triangle with sides measuring 60 inches, 75 inches, and 45 inches is indeed a right triangle.