The table below shows the side lengths for some triangles. Determine whether the side lengths define a right triangle.

Drag and drop either Yes or No into the box next to the side lengths.

Triangle Side Lengths Right Triangle?
4 in, 6 in, 8 in
8 ft, 15 ft, 17 ft
18 cm, 24 cm, 30 cm

1 answer

To determine whether the given side lengths define a right triangle, we can use the Pythagorean theorem, which states that for a triangle with sides of lengths \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) (where \(c\) is the longest side), the triangle is a right triangle if:

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

Now let's evaluate each set of side lengths:

  1. For the triangle with sides 4 in, 6 in, 8 in:

    • Longest side \(c = 8\)
    • Calculate \(a^2 + b^2 = 4^2 + 6^2 = 16 + 36 = 52\)
    • Calculate \(c^2 = 8^2 = 64\)
    • Conclusion: \(52 \neq 64\) (Not a right triangle)
  2. For the triangle with sides 8 ft, 15 ft, 17 ft:

    • Longest side \(c = 17\)
    • Calculate \(a^2 + b^2 = 8^2 + 15^2 = 64 + 225 = 289\)
    • Calculate \(c^2 = 17^2 = 289\)
    • Conclusion: \(289 = 289\) (Right triangle)
  3. For the triangle with sides 18 cm, 24 cm, 30 cm:

    • Longest side \(c = 30\)
    • Calculate \(a^2 + b^2 = 18^2 + 24^2 = 324 + 576 = 900\)
    • Calculate \(c^2 = 30^2 = 900\)
    • Conclusion: \(900 = 900\) (Right triangle)

Now we can fill in the responses:

  • 4 in, 6 in, 8 in: No
  • 8 ft, 15 ft, 17 ft: Yes
  • 18 cm, 24 cm, 30 cm: Yes

So, the final responses are:

  • 4 in, 6 in, 8 in: No
  • 8 ft, 15 ft, 17 ft: Yes
  • 18 cm, 24 cm, 30 cm: Yes