Discover whether or not a triangle can be formed from three different side lengths. Explore animated answers in this activity.
[i]Answer these open ended questions on your own or with others to form deeper math connections. [/i]
Triangle [math]ABC[/math] has two sides, length 5 cm and 8 cm. Give three possible lengths for the third side.
Triangle [math]ABC[/math] has two sides, length 5 cm and 8 cm. Give three lengths for the third side that are not possible.
Triangle [math]DEF[/math] has two sides, length 12 cm and 30 cm. What is the longest possible length of the third side? What is the shortest possible length of the third side?
How can you tell if three different lengths will form a triangle?