Question

Which of the following numbers could be the sides of a right triangle. A)8,15,17. B)6,8,12 C)9,11,21 D)4,13,16

Answer 1

A) 8, 15, 17.

Explanation:

Right triangle obey the Pythagorean theorem. Thus, we choose the two smaller numbers (being the cathetus) and if after applying the P. Theorem we get the biggest of each option (the hypotenuse) that means that those numbers could be the sides of a right triangle.

The Pythagorean theorem states that:
`a^2+b^2=c^2`

Thus:

`√(a^2+b^2)=c`

Option A:

`√(8^2+15^2)=17` → 17 = 17 OK!

Option B:

`√(6^2+8^2)  = 10` → 10 ≠ 12 NO

Option C:

`√(9^2+11^2) = [tex]√(202)`[/tex] →
`√(202)` ≠ 21 NO

Option D:

`√(4^2+13^2) = √(185)` →
`√(185)` ≠ 16 NO