Triangle Inequality
The triangle inequality states that for any triangle, the length of any one side of the triangle must be less than the sum of the lengths of the other two sides.
[include_netrun_products_block from-products="product/6-idaho-isat-grade-3-math-practice-tests/" product-list-class="bundle-products float-left" product-item-class="float-left" product-item-image-container-class="p-0 float-left" product-item-image-container-size="col-2" product-item-image-container-custom-style="" product-item-container-size="" product-item-add-to-cart-class="btn-accent btn-purchase-ajax" product-item-button-custom-url="{url}/?ajax-add-to-cart={id}" product-item-button-custom-url-if-not-salable="{productUrl} product-item-container-class="" product-item-element-order="image,title,purchase,price" product-item-title-size="" product-item-title-wrapper-size="col-10" product-item-title-tag="h3" product-item-title-class="mt-0" product-item-title-wrapper-class="float-left pr-0" product-item-price-size="" product-item-purchase-size="" product-item-purchase-wrapper-size="" product-item-price-wrapper-class="pr-0 float-left" product-item-price-wrapper-size="col-10" product-item-read-more-text="" product-item-add-to-cart-text="" product-item-add-to-cart-custom-attribute="title='Purchase this book with single click'" product-item-thumbnail-size="290-380" show-details="false" show-excerpt="false" paginate="false" lazy-load="true"]
In other words, if you have a triangle with sides a, b, and c, then a + b > c, b + c > a, and c + a > b.
A step-by-step guide to Using Triangle Inequality Rules
For example, if you have a triangle with sides of lengths 4, 5, and 7, you can check whether it satisfies the triangle inequality:
- 4 + 5 > 7 (true)
- 5 + 7 > 4 (true)
- 7 + 4 > 5 (true)
Since all three conditions are true, this triangle satisfies the triangle inequality and is a valid triangle.
On the other hand, if you have sides of lengths 2, 5, and 10:
- 2 + 5 > 10 (false)
- 5 + 10 > 2 (true)
- 10 + 2 > 5 (true)
In this case, the first condition is false, which means that these side lengths do not form a valid triangle.
Triangle Inequality – Example 1
Do the given sides form a triangle? \(a=3, b=5, c=8\)
Solution:
Add the first and second lengths. \(3+5=8\)
8 is equal to the third length. So, it is not a triangle.
Triangle Inequality – Example 2
Do the given sides form a triangle? \(a=7, b=6, c=12\)
Solution:
Add the first and second lengths. \(7+6=13\)
13 is larger than the third length (12). So, they form a triangle.
Related to This Article
More math articles
- Top 10 Tips to Overcome AFOQT Math Anxiety
- 10 Most Common 5th Grade IAR Math Questions
- How to Solve Word Problems to Identify Independent and Dependent Variables
- What Is the Best GED Math Study Guide?
- The Ultimate OAA Algebra 1 Course (+FREE Worksheets)
- 6th Grade ISTEP Math Worksheets: FREE & Printable
- Discover the Gateway: “CBEST Math for Beginners” Full Solution Handbook
- How to Find x- and y-intercepts in the Standard Form of Equation?
- 10 Most Common SSAT LOWER LEVEL Math Questions
- Overview of the TExES Core Subjects Mathematics Test



























What people say about "Triangle Inequality - Effortless Math: We Help Students Learn to LOVE Mathematics"?
No one replied yet.