To determine if a set of measurements can describe the lengths of the three sides of a right triangle, we can use the Pythagorean theorem, which states that in a right triangle with legs \( a \) and \( b \) and hypotenuse \( c \), the following must hold true:
\[ a^2 + b^2 = c^2 \]
We need to identify which measurement in each set serves as the hypotenuse (the longest measurement), and then test if the equation holds true.
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Measurements: 63 in, 16 in, 65 in
- Hypotenuse: 65 in
- Check: \( 16^2 + 63^2 = 256 + 3969 = 4225 \)
- \( 65^2 = 4225 \)
- Result: Could be the sides of a right triangle.
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Measurements: 4 in, 5 in, 6 in
- Hypotenuse: 6 in
- Check: \( 4^2 + 5^2 = 16 + 25 = 41 \)
- \( 6^2 = 36 \)
- Result: Cannot be the sides of a right triangle.
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Measurements: 29 in, 20 in, 21 in
- Hypotenuse: 29 in
- Check: \( 20^2 + 21^2 = 400 + 441 = 841 \)
- \( 29^2 = 841 \)
- Result: Could be the sides of a right triangle.
Now we can categorize the measurements:
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Could Be the Sides of a Right Triangle:
- 63 in, 16 in, 65 in
- 29 in, 20 in, 21 in
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Cannot Be the Sides of a Right Triangle:
- 4 in, 5 in, 6 in
Therefore, the responses should be sorted as follows:
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Could Be the Sides of a Right Triangle:
- 63 in, 16 in, 65 in
- 29 in, 20 in, 21 in
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Cannot Be the Sides of a Right Triangle:
- 4 in, 5 in, 6 in