To determine whether the given sets of measurements can describe the lengths of the three sides of a right triangle, we can use the Pythagorean theorem, which states that for a right triangle with sides \(a\), \(b\), and hypotenuse \(c\):
\[ a^2 + b^2 = c^2 \]
Let's analyze each set of measurements:
A) 65, 16, 63
- Largest number (hypotenuse) is 65.
- Check if \(16^2 + 63^2 = 65^2\):
- \(16^2 = 256\)
- \(63^2 = 3969\)
- \(65^2 = 4225\)
- \(256 + 3969 = 4225\)
- This satisfies the condition.
B) 29, 21, 20
- Largest number (hypotenuse) is 29.
- Check if \(20^2 + 21^2 = 29^2\):
- \(20^2 = 400\)
- \(21^2 = 441\)
- \(29^2 = 841\)
- \(400 + 441 = 841\)
- This satisfies the condition.
C) 5, 6, 4
- Largest number (hypotenuse) is 6.
- Check if \(4^2 + 5^2 = 6^2\):
- \(4^2 = 16\)
- \(5^2 = 25\)
- \(6^2 = 36\)
- \(16 + 25 = 41\) (which is not equal to 36)
- This does not satisfy the condition.
Now we can organize the responses:
Could Be the Sides of a Right Triangle:
- A) 65, 16, 63
- B) 29, 21, 20
Cannot Be the Sides of a Right Triangle:
- C) 5, 6, 4