Question

Which set of numbers could be the lengths of the sides of a right triangle? A. {10,24,26} b. {12, 16, 30} c. {3, 4, 6} d. {4, 7, 8}

Answer 1

set A

Using the converse of Pythagoras' identity

If the square of the longest side equals the sum of the squares of the other 2 sides then the sides form a right triangle

set A

26² = 676 and 10² + 24² = 100 + 576 = 676

Hence the sides form a right triangle

set B

30² = 900 and 12² + 16² ≠ 900 ← not a right triangle

set C

6² = 36 and 3² + 4² ≠ 36 ← not a right triangle

set D

8² = 64 and 4² + 7² ≠ 64 ← not a right triangle