Question

The hypotenuse of a triangle is 13 inches long. Which of the follwoing pairsof measurements could be correct for the lengths of the other two sides of triangle: a:2.5 and 4 inches, b:2.5 and 6 inches,c:5 and 8 inches,d:5 and 12 inches

Answer 1

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

2.5^2 + 4^2 = 13^2

6.25 + 16 = 169 >> <b>Nope!</b>

Try the others the same way.

Answer 2

The hypotenuse is greater than either of the other 2 sides but less than the sum. Therefore the answer is d.

c^2 = 5^2 + 12^2 = 25 + 144 = 169
c = 13.