LESSON 5-5

INEQUALITIES IN TRIANGLES

OBJECTIVE:
To use inequalities involving angles
and sides of triangles
 Theorem 5-10
If a triangle is scalene, then the largest angle
lies opposite the longest side
and the smallest angle
lies opposite the shortest side.
X
Example 1: List the angles
from smallest to largest 17” 29”

Y
Z Y X 32” Z
Theorem 5-11(Converse of Theorem 5-10)
If a triangle is scalene, then the longest side
lies opposite the largest angle,
and the shortest side
lies opposite the smallest angle.
Q
Example 2: In QRS, list
the sides from 30°
smallest to largest
SR QS QR
S R
Example 3:
In TUV, which side is the shortest?

Use  sum to find mT.

mT = 60°, so U is smallest
T

Therefore VT is shortest

58° 62° V
U
Theorem 5-12 The Triangle Inequality Theorem
The sum of the lengths of any two sides of a
triangle is

greater than the length of the third side.

 Example 4:
Can a triangle have sides with the given lengths?
Explain.
a) 3ft., 7ft., 8ft. b) 3cm., 6cm., 10cm.

Yes, 3 + 7 > 8 NO, 3 + 6 < 10

Example 5:
A triangle has sides of lengths 8cm and 10cm.
Describe the lengths possible for the third side.
Let x = the length of the 3rd side.

The sum of any 2 sides must be

greater than the 3rd.
 So, there are 3 possibilities.

x + 8 > 10 x + 10 > 8 8 + 10 > x

x>2 x > -2 18 > x
x < 18
So, x must be longer than 2cm
& shorter than 18cm.

2 < x < 18
ASSIGNMENT:
Page 277 #4-25, 34-36, 43-46