To determine whether sides of lengths 3 inches, 4 inches, and 9 inches can form a triangle, we can apply the Triangle Inequality Theorem. According to this theorem, for any three sides \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\), the following conditions must be satisfied:
- \(a + b > c\)
- \(a + c > b\)
- \(b + c > a\)
Let's assign \(a = 3\), \(b = 4\), and \(c = 9\) and check the conditions:
- \(3 + 4 > 9\) (This is false, as 7 is not greater than 9)
- \(3 + 9 > 4\) (This is true, as 12 is greater than 4)
- \(4 + 9 > 3\) (This is true, as 13 is greater than 3)
Since the first condition fails (3 + 4 is not greater than 9), the sides cannot form a triangle.
The correct response is:
No, because 3+4 is less than 9.