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7.5 The Triangle Inequality

The Triangle Inequality theorem states that the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle must be greater than the length of the third side. This theorem can be used to determine if a triangle can be formed based on given side lengths, and to prove relationships between sides of triangles. Examples demonstrate using the theorem to find the range of possible lengths of an unknown side of a triangle. Two-column proofs are provided to prove statements using the triangle inequality theorem and other triangle properties.

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Kyaru Nhakazar
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152 views10 pages

7.5 The Triangle Inequality

The Triangle Inequality theorem states that the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle must be greater than the length of the third side. This theorem can be used to determine if a triangle can be formed based on given side lengths, and to prove relationships between sides of triangles. Examples demonstrate using the theorem to find the range of possible lengths of an unknown side of a triangle. Two-column proofs are provided to prove statements using the triangle inequality theorem and other triangle properties.

Uploaded by

Kyaru Nhakazar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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7.

5 The Triangle
Inequality
USE THE TRIANGLE INEQUALITY THEOREM TO IDENTIFY
POSSIBLE TRIANGLES AND TO PROVE TRIANGLE
RELATIONSHIPS
The Triangle Inequality Theorem

The sum of the lengths of


any two sides of a
triangle must be greater
than the length of the
third side.
Example 1: Is it possible to form a triangle with
the given side lengths? If not, explain why not.

A. 15 𝑦𝑑, 16 𝑦𝑑, 30 𝑦𝑑
15 + 16 > 30 15 + 30 > 16 16 + 30 > 15
31 > 30 45 > 16 46 > 15

Since the sum of each pair of side lengths is greater


than the third side length, side lengths 15 yd, 16 yd
and 30 yd will form a triangle.
B. 2 𝑓𝑡, 8 𝑓𝑡, 11 𝑓𝑡

2 + 8 > 11
10 > 11
CONTRADICTION, 10 < 11

Since the sum of one pair is not greater than the


third side, the lengths 2 ft, 8 ft and 11 ft will not
form a triangle.
Example 2: If the measures of two sides are 5 yards
and 9 yards what is the least possible measure of the
third side if the measure is an integer
5 𝑦𝑑, 9 𝑦𝑑, 𝑥 𝑦𝑑

5+9>𝑥 5+𝑥 >9 9+𝑥 >5


14 > 𝑥 𝑥>4 𝑥 > −4
𝑥 < 14

Since 𝑥 has to be an integer that is greater than


4, the least possible measure of the third side can
have a measure of 5
Example 3: Find the range of possible measures of
𝑥 if each set of expressions represents measures of the
sides of a triangle.
A. 𝑥 + 1, 5, 7
𝑥+1+5>7 𝑥+1+7>5 5+7>𝑥+1
𝑥+6 >7 𝑥+8>5 12 > 𝑥 + 1
𝑥>1 𝑥 > −3 11 > 𝑥
𝑥 < 11

1 < 𝑥 < 11
B. 𝑥, 2𝑥 + 1, 𝑥 + 4
𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 1 > 𝑥 + 4 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 4 > 2𝑥 + 1 2𝑥 + 1 + 𝑥 + 4 > 𝑥
3𝑥 + 1 > 𝑥 + 4 2𝑥 + 4 > 2𝑥 + 1 3𝑥 + 5 > 𝑥
2𝑥 > 3 0 > −3 2𝑥 > −5
3 5
𝑥> 𝑥>−
2 2
3
𝑥>
2
Example 4: Write a two column proof
Given: 𝑋𝑊 ≅ 𝑌𝑊 STATEMENTS REASONS
Prove: 𝑌𝑍 + 𝑍𝑊 > 𝑋𝑊 1. 𝑋𝑊 ≅ 𝑌𝑊 1. Given
2. 𝑋𝑊 = 𝑌𝑊 2. Def. of ≅ segments

3. 𝑌𝑍 + 𝑍𝑊 > 𝑌𝑊 3. Triangle Inequality


Theorem

4. 𝑌𝑍 + 𝑍𝑊 > 𝑋𝑊 4. Substitution
Example 5: Write a two-column proof
STATEMENTS REASONS
Given: 𝐺𝐿 = 𝐿𝐾
Prove: 𝐽𝐻 + 𝐺𝐻 > 𝐽𝐾 1. 𝐺𝐿 = 𝐿𝐾 1. Given
2. 𝐽𝐻 + 𝐺𝐻 > 𝐺𝐽 2. Triangle
inequality theorem
3. 𝐺𝐿 + 𝐿𝐽 = 𝐺𝐽 3. Segment addition
postulate
4. JH + GH > 𝐺𝐿 + 𝐿𝐽 4. Substiution
5. JH + GH > 𝐿𝐾 + 𝐿𝐽 5. Substitution
6. 𝐿𝐾 + 𝐿𝐽 > 𝐽𝐾 6. Triangle
inequality theorem
7. JH + GH > 𝐽𝐾 7. Transitive Property
Pg. 449 (6,8,12,14,18,20,21,29,38,40)

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