Loading [MathJax]/jax/output/SVG/config.js
 
+0  
 
0
2427
2
avatar

How can you tell if 3 numbers classify a triangle into acute or obtuse

 Dec 10, 2014

Best Answer 

 #2
avatar+23254 
+5

If the three numbers represent the sides of a triangle, then call 'c' the length of the largest side, and 'a' and 'b' the lengths of the other two sides.

∠C is the angle opposite side 'c' and since side c is the largest side of the triangle, ∠C will be the largest angle of the triangle.

If c²  =  a² + b², then the triangle is a right triangle because ∠C is a right angle.

If c²  >  a² + b², then the triangle has an obtuse angle at ∠C.

If c²  <  a² + b², then the triangle has an acute angle at ∠C, making all the angles acute.

 Dec 10, 2014
 #1
avatar
+5

Acute angle - all angles are less than 90 degrees

Obtuse angle - all the angles are more than 90 degrees

 Dec 10, 2014
 #2
avatar+23254 
+5
Best Answer

If the three numbers represent the sides of a triangle, then call 'c' the length of the largest side, and 'a' and 'b' the lengths of the other two sides.

∠C is the angle opposite side 'c' and since side c is the largest side of the triangle, ∠C will be the largest angle of the triangle.

If c²  =  a² + b², then the triangle is a right triangle because ∠C is a right angle.

If c²  >  a² + b², then the triangle has an obtuse angle at ∠C.

If c²  <  a² + b², then the triangle has an acute angle at ∠C, making all the angles acute.

geno3141 Dec 10, 2014

2 Online Users