Describe the links of three segments that cannot be used to form a triangle

Question

Math triangle 

Answer 1

Hello, Bb,

You first need to know the Triangle Inequality Theorem.  Basically, if any two sides of a triangle are greater than the third side, then the 3 links or segments come from a triangle.  For example,      T=True     or F=False

    /   \                        b=4            (>greater than)

3 /      \  4 =b              a=3       b+c>a                 b+a>c                    a+c>b 

 /         \                     c=2       4+2>3                 4 +3>2                   3+2>4

______  \                                 6>3  T                   7>2   T                   5>4     Therefore, a triangle

    2=c

Substitute the side lengths and see if you have all true inequalities.  If one doesn't work, then the triangle is not a triangle.

 

Another example,  given these possible sides of a triangle, do these segments or links make a triangle? 

a=10, b=8, and c= 2.  

 

Well, look at this!                              8+2 >10  

                                                     10 >10 False,  8 plus 2 is not greater than 10. It is equal to it.

 

Are these sides, according to the Triangle Inequality Theorem, the sides of a triangle?

 

I hope that I have helped.  Susan C.