To determine which set of side lengths can form a triangle, we can use the triangle inequality theorem. This theorem states that for any triangle with sides of lengths \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \), the following must be true:
- \( a + b > c \)
- \( a + c > b \)
- \( b + c > a \)
Let's check each set of side lengths:
-
8, 6, 2
- \( 8 + 6 > 2 \) → \( 14 > 2 \) (true)
- \( 8 + 2 > 6 \) → \( 10 > 6 \) (true)
- \( 6 + 2 > 8 \) → \( 8 > 8 \) (false)
- Cannot form a triangle
-
5, 2, 4
- \( 5 + 2 > 4 \) → \( 7 > 4 \) (true)
- \( 5 + 4 > 2 \) → \( 9 > 2 \) (true)
- \( 2 + 4 > 5 \) → \( 6 > 5 \) (true)
- Can form a triangle
-
4, 1, 6
- \( 4 + 1 > 6 \) → \( 5 > 6 \) (false)
- Cannot form a triangle
-
3, 3, 6
- \( 3 + 3 > 6 \) → \( 6 > 6 \) (false)
- Cannot form a triangle
The only set of side lengths that can form a triangle is 5, 2, 4.