Question

Based on these sets of side lengths, which triangles are right triangles?

Answer 1

Answer:

8 units, 3 units, √73 units

16 units, 30 units, √50 units

Step-by-step explanation:

Given the above side lengths of a triangle, to determine which triangles are right triangles, we would make use of the Pythagorean theorem which holds that the sum of the square of two smaller legs of a right triangle would give us the square of the length of the longest leg.

That is a² + b² = c²

Thus, let's check each options given.

Let c be the 3rd units given in each option, which is the longest leg.

Option 1:

c² = 8² + 15²

c² = 64 + 225 = 289

c = √289 = 17

∆ with lengths 8 units, 15 units, √75 units is not a right triangle because c ≠ √75, from calculation.

Option 2:

c² = 8² + 3²

c² = 64 + 9 = 73

c = √73 units

∆ with lengths 8 units, 3 units, √73 units is a right triangle because c = √73 from calculation

Option 3:

c² = 16² + 30²

c² = 256 + 900 = 1156

c = √1156 = 34

∆ with lengths 16 units, 30 units, √50 units is not a right triangle because c ≠ √50 units from calculation.

Option 4:

c² = 5² + 7²

c² = 25 + 49 = 74

c = √74 units

∆ with lengths 16 units, 30 units, √50 units is a right triangle because c =  √74 units from calculation.

Therefore, based on the sets of side lengths given, the following are right triangles:

8 units, 3 units, √73 units

16 units, 30 units, √50 units