Question

If two legs of a right triangle are 2 inches and 3 inches, can the hypotenuse be 4 inches? Justify your answer.

Answer in complete sentences and include all relevant calculations.

Answer 1

No

Explanation:

The only consecutive integers that satisfy the Pythagorean theorem are 3, 4, and 5.

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4^2 ≠ 2^2 + 3^2

16 ≠ 4 + 9 . . . . . . . an attempt at applying the Pythagorean theorem to the given numbers fails.