How do you determine if the lengths #4, sqrt26, 12# form a right triangle?

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Answer 1 · 2017-03-08T01:23:35

See the entire solution process below:

We can use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine if these lengths form a right triangle.

The Pythagorean Theorem states, for a right triangle:

#a^2 + b^2 = c^2# Where

#a# and #b# are legs of the right triangle
#c# is the hypotenuse of the right triangle

Substituting #4# and #sqrt(26)# for #a# and #b# and substituting #12# for #c# gives:

#4^2 + (sqrt(26))^2 = 12^2#

#16 + 26 = 144#

#42 != 144#

These lengths for the sides of a triangle DO NOT form a right triangle.