Chapter A.2, Problem 17AYU

To determine

Which are right triangles. For those that are, identify the hypotenuse.

Answer to Problem 17AYU

Right triangle; hypotenuse is 5.

Explanation of Solution

Given:

3, 4, 5

Calculation:

The triangle with sides of lengths 3, 4, and 5.

$3^2=9$

$4^2=16$

$5^2=25$

Notice that the sum of the first two squares (9 and 16) equals the third square (25). That is, because $3^2+4^2=5^2$, the triangle is a right triangle. The longest side, 5, is the hypotenuse.