Unit 7

Math 8 Triangle Congruence and

Inequalities in Triangle
Lesson 21
Triangle Inequalities

What You’ll Learn in this module:

a. illustrate theorems on triangle inequalities (Exterior Angle Inequality
Theorem, Triangle Inequality Theorem, Hinge Theorem)
b. apply theorems on triangle inequalities
c. prove inequalities in triangle

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS: Write your answers in the answer sheet provided.

Activity No. 1: “Jigsaw Puzzle”

Directions: In lesson 20, you have learned about triangle congruence. In this activity,
write the number of the jigsaw piece in the space where it fits. See answer sheet.

TRIANGLE INEQUALITIES

Comparison Property of Inequality

If c=a+b , where a> 0 or b> 0, then c >a or c >b .

The comparison property of inequality is needed to prove a theorem on

inequalities in a triangle – the exterior angle inequality theorem.
Triangle Exterior Angle Inequality
The triangle exterior angle theorem states that the measure of an exterior angle of
a triangle is always equivalent to the sum of the measures of its two corresponding
remote interior angles. (See figure at the right)
Suppose ∠ 3 is an exterior angle of the
given triangle and ∠ 1 and ∠ 2 are its relative
remote interior angles. Thus,
m ∠ 3=m ∠ 1+ m∠ 2.

Example 1: Find the value of x.

SOLUTION:
a. By the exterior angle theorem,
x=64 ° +59 °=123 ° . Therefore, x=123 ° .

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SOLUTION:
b. The unknown angle of the triangle is
needed to solve the value of x, since it is
one of the remote interior angles.
Through the triangle angle sum theorem,
this angle measures
180 °−62 °−47 °=71° . Therefore,
x=71 °+ 62° =133° .

SOLUTION:
c. Applying the triangle
exterior angle theorem,
x +33.6 °=93.4
x=93.4−33.6 °
x=59.8 °

SOLUTION:
d. The measure of an exterior
angle is equal to the sum of
the measures of the two
remote angle. So,

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4 x+ 8=3 x +41
4 x−3 x=41−8
x=33 °
Triangle Exterior Angle Inequality Theorem
In a triangle, the measure of an exterior angle is larger than the measure of either
of its remote interior angle.

Triangle Inequality Theorem

In a triangle, the sum of the lengths of any two sides is greater than the length of the third
side, that is
AB+ BC > AC
AB+ AC >BC
BC+ AC> AB

Example 2: Tell whether the given lengths will form a triangle. Justify.
a. 4 , 8 , 9
SOLUTION: 4 +8> 9 , 4+ 9>8 ,and 8+ 9>4 . The lengths will form a triangle.
b. 16 , 23 , 40
SOLUTION: 16+23> 40 , 16+ 40>23 , 40+23> 16. The lengths will not form a triangle since
one of the conditions was not satisfied.
c. 7 , 7 , 7
SOLUTION: 7+7 >7. The lengths will form a triangle (equilateral).
Example 3: A triangle has sides of lengths 6 and 11 cm. Describe the range of values
possible for the third side.
SOLUTION: Let x be the length of the third side. Using the theorem,
x +6>11 x +11>6 6+11> x

x >11−6 x >6−11 17> x or x <17

x >5 x >−5

The inequality x >−5 will not be part of the range because sides of a triangle cannot be
negative values. Therefore, the possible values of x is within the range 5< x <17 .
Side-Angle Inequality Theorem
If two sides of a triangle ae not congruent, then the measures of the angles
opposite these sides are likewise not congruent, with the larger angle opposite the longer
side.

Angle-Side Inequality Theorem

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Inequalities in Triangle
If two angles of a triangle are not congruent, then the longer side lies opposite the
largest angle.

 Proving Inequalities in a Single Triangle

Several geometric relationships may be proven using triangle inequalities. Consider
the following examples. D

Example 4: Prove the following statement.

Given: ∆≝is isosceles ; DE=DF
Prove: DG> DE 2
3 1
E G
F
Solution: In proving geometric statements, it is always important to develop a plan
before devising a formal proof.
Plan: Use the definition of isosceles triangle to show the equality of ∠ 3 and ∠ 2 , and
then consider the fact that ∠ 2 is an exterior angle, which identifies that m ∠ 2> m∠ 1 using
the exterior angle inequality theorem. Next, show that m ∠ 3>m∠ 1 in order to prove the
statement DG> DE .
Proof:
Statement Reason
1. ∆≝¿ is isosceles; DE=DF 1. Given
2. m ∠ 3=m ∠ 2 2. Isosceles triangle theorem
3. ∠ 2 is an exterior angle of ∆ DFG 3. Definition of exterior angle
4. m ∠ 2> m∠ 1 4. Exterior angle inequality theorem
5. m ∠ 3>m∠ 1 5. Substitution
6. DG> DE 6. Angle-side inequality theorem

Hinge Theorem (SAS Inequality)

If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two sides of another, but the measure
of the included angle of the first is larger than the second, then the third side of the first is
longer than the third side of the second.

SSS Inequality Theorem

If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two sides of another triangle, but the
measure of the third side of the first triangle is greater than the measure of the third side
of the second triangle, then the included angle (opposite of the third side) of the first
triangle is larger than the included angle of the second triangle.

 Proving Inequalities in Two Triangles O

Example 5: Write a proof in two-column format.

Given: LM ≅ MO ≅ NO
Prove: OL> ON

L N
M

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Plan: Show by definition that ∠ OML is an exterior angle of ∆ MON , and then using
triangle inequality, indicate that m ∠ OML> m∠ ONM . Next, show by the isosceles triangle
theorem that m ∠ ONM=m ∠ OMN . Finally, use substitution and conclude that OL> ON
applying the hinge theorem or SAS inequality.
Proof:
Statement Reason
1. LM ≅ MO ≅ NO 1. Given
2. ∠ OML is an exterior angle of ∆ MON . 2. Definition of exterior angle
3. ∠ OML>m∠ ONM 3. Exterior angle inequality theorem
4. ∆ MON is isosceles. 4. Definition of isosceles triangle
5. m ∠ ONM=m ∠ OMN 5. Isosceles triangle theorem
6. ∠ OML>m∠ OMN 6. Substitution
7. OL> ON 7. Hinge theorem

Activity No. 2: “Comprehension Check”

Part I: Directions: Identify whether the given lengths will form a triangle. Write YES if
the lengths will form a triangle, otherwise, write NO.

1) 14 , 18 , 31 4) 10 , 15 ,26 7) 7 , 12 ,17 10) 4 , 9 ,12

2) 3 , 8 , 12 5) 9 , 9 , 9 8) 10 , 11, 21
3) 4 , 4 , 6 6) 8 , 11, 3 9) 14 , 17 , 20

Part II: Directions: Complete the proof by filling in the blanks with the correct
statements and reasons. Choose your answer from the choices inside the box. For
numbers 1 – 4, refer to the figure below. A

BD ≅ DE Hinge theorem D
Given

Given: ∆ BDE is equilateral; AB ≅ CD ; AD> CE

Prove:m ∠ ABD >m∠ EDC B C
E
Statement Reason
1) ∆ BDE is equilateral. 1) _____________
2) _________________ 2) Definition of equilateral triangle
3) AB ≅ CD ; 3) _____________
AD> CE
4) m ∠ ABD >m∠ EDC 4) _____________

For numbers 5 – 10, refer to the figure below. Choose your answer inside the box.
G
GR ≅ GR Hinge theorem

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Definition of isosceles triangle
Given
Definition of midpoint
P S
R
Given: ∆ PGS is isosceles with G as vertex angle;m ∠ PGR >m ∠ SGR
Prove: R is not the midpoint of ∆ PGS .

Statement Reason
5) ∆ PGS is isosceles. 5) ______________________________
6) PG ≅ GS 6) ______________________________
7) ______________ 7) Reflexive property of congruence
8) m ∠ PGR >m ∠ SGR 8) ______________________________
9) PR> RS 9) ______________________________
10) R is not the midpoint of ∆ PGS . 10) _____________________________

HOLY CROSS OF HAGONOY, INC.

Poblacion, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur
ANSWER SHEET

Name: Teacher: Ms. Jeany Pearl Eltagonde

Section: PLU Code:
Week No.: 21 – Triangle Inequalities

Activity No. 1: “Jigsaw Puzzle”

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Math 8 Triangle Congruence and
Inequalities in Triangle

Activity No. 2: “Comprehension Check” Score:

Part I Part II

1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

6. 6.

7. 7.

8. 8.

9. 9.

10. 10.

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