Question

A triangle has three sides: a, b, and c. Side a = 72 feet, and side b = 154 feet, and side c = 170 feet. True or false: this triangle is a right triangle.

Plz explain how you got your answer, so I can better understand how to solve the problem the next time I get one.

False

Answer 1

True

Explanation:

If the triangle was a right angled triangle then we can prove it using the Pythagoras theorem: c² = a² + b²

c is the largest side and a and b are the two smaller sides of the triangle.

So if this is true then √72² + 154² should be 170:

170² = 72² + 154²

28900 = 5184 + 23716

28900 = 28900

So we have proved using Pythagoras theorem that the triangle is a right angled triangle.