Applying Theorems on

Triangle Inequalities
Q4
What theorem states that the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a
triangle is greater than the length of the third side?

A. Exterior Angle Inequality Theorem

B. Triangle Inequality Theorem

C. Hinge Theorem

D. Converse of the Hinge Theorem

Which of the following lengths can be measures of the sides of a
triangle?

A. 12, 5, 7

B. 4, 8, 15

C. 9, 13, 2

D. 8, 5, 11
 B 4
What are the two exterior angles at vertex C?
2
5 3 1 A
C 6
A. ∠4 and ∠5

B. ∠4 and ∠6

C. ∠5 and ∠6

D. ∠3 and ∠6
 B 5
What are the two remote angles at vertex ∠4?
2
4 3 1 A
A. ∠1 and ∠2 D C

B. ∠2 and ∠3

C. ∠3 and ∠5

D. ∠5 and ∠2
Using the Hinge Theorem, which of the
following sides is longer?

A. AC

B. DC
Have you ever thought of how artists use triangles in their artworks? Have
you ever wondered how builders, architects, and engineers use triangular
features in their designs?
Find Our Connection
 Find Our Connection
1. Hinge Theorem or
SAS Inequality
Theorem

2. Triangle Inequality
Theorem 1 (Ss→Aa)

3. Exterior Angle Theorem

4. Triangle Inequality
Theorem 2 (Aa→Ss)

5. Converse of Hinge
Theorem or SSS
Inequality Theorem

6. Triangle
Inequality Theorem
3 (S1 +S2 >S3)
 Triangle Inequality Theorem 1
If one side of a triangle is longer than the second side,
then the angle opposite the first side is larger than the
angle opposite the second side.
 Triangle Inequality Theorem 2
If one angle of a triangle is larger than the second angle,
then the side opposite the first angle is longer than the
side opposite the second angle.
 If one side of a triangle is the longest, then the
angle opposite it is the largest.
 If one side of a triangle is the shortest, then
the angle opposite it is the smallest.

 If one angle of a triangle is the largest, then

the side opposite it is the longest.
 If one angle of a triangle is the smallest, then
the side opposite it is the shortest.
 Example 1 Name the smallest angle and the largest angle of the following triangles.

Smallest angle ∠P
largest angle ∠E

Smallest angle ∠I
largest angle ∠M
 Example 2 Name the shortest side and the longest side of the following triangles.

Shortest side FR

longest side FY

Shortest side ON

longest side SO
Example 3 Two sides of a triangle have the measures 6 and 7. Find the
range of the possible measures of the third side.
Example 4 Two sides of a triangle have the measures 6 and 7. Find the
range of the possible measures of the third side.

Solution#2
Example 4 Find the range of possible measures of x in the following given
sides of a triangle: 10, 7, x.
Example 4 Find the range of possible measures of x in the following given
sides of a triangle: 10, 7, x.

Solution#2
Example 5 If the three sides of a triangle are given by x+2, 2x+7, 4x+1,
what is the greatest possible value of x?

4
Therefore, 3 <x<8
Example 6 Using the Hinge theorem, find the possible value of x.
Activity

1. Two sides of a triangle have the measures 7 and 11. Find the
range of possible measures of the third side.

2. Name the smallest angle and largest angle of the following

triangles.
Activity

3. Name the shortest side and the longest side of the following
triangles.

4. Using the Hinge Theorem, solve for the possible values of x.

Triangle Inequality Theorem 3 (S1 +S2 >S3)

The sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle

is greater than the length of the third side.

Consider ∆𝐸𝐹𝐺 as shown below, with 𝑒, 𝑓, and 𝑔 as the side lengths.

The triangle inequality theorem 3

states that :
i) 𝑓 + 𝑔 > 𝑒 ii) 𝑒 + 𝑔 > 𝑓 iii) 𝑒 + 𝑓 > 𝑔
Example 1
If two of the sides of a triangular frame measure 8 inches
and 15 inches, find the possible lengths of the third side 𝑥.

Solution
To find the possible lengths of the third side of the triangular frame, you can use the formula:
𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠 < 𝑈𝑛𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑟𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 < 𝑆𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓
𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠.
In the situation, the length of the third side is represented by the variable 𝑥.

𝐷𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠 < 𝑥 < 𝑆𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒
𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠
15 − 8 < 𝑥 < 15 + 8 Use Substitution
7 < 𝑥 < 23 Simplify
The third side can have length between 7 inches and 23 inches.

To check whether the length of the third side 𝑥 could be any value between 7
inches and 23 inches, choose one value in the interval and apply the Triangle
Inequality Theorem 3 (S1 +S2 >S3).
Consider, 𝑥 = 10 inches.

Therefore, the length of the third side

can be any value between 7 inches and
23 inches.
 Exterior Angle Inequality Theorem

The measure of an exterior angle of a triangle is

greater than the measure of either remote
interior angles.
Exterior Angle – an angle that forms a linear pair with one of the
interior angles of a triangle.
 Remote Interior Angle - an angle of a triangle that is not adjacent
to a specified exterior angle.
 Linear Pair Theorem – if two angles form a linear pair, then the
two angles are supplementary and adjacent.
Example 1
Situation: Four billiard balls are left on the table as shown
below. Use the expressions to determine the measure of
the exterior angle. (Note: The figure is not drawn to scale.)
 Hinge Theorem or SAS Inequality

If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two

sides of a second triangle, and the included angle in
the first triangle is greater than the included angle in
the second, then the third side of the first triangle is
longer than the third side of the second.
Consider ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 and ∆𝑋𝑌𝑍. Describe the lengths of sides AC and YC̅̅̅̅.̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
(Note: The figure is not drawn to scale.)
Situation:
The figures below show two pairs of scissors of the
same size in two different positions. In which figure is
the distance between the tips of the two blades greater?
Use the Hinge Theorem to justify your answer.
(Note: The figure is not drawn to scale.)

Solution: The distance between the tips of the two blades in Figure 1 is greater since the
angle opposite this side has a greater measure which is 50° as compared to that in Figure 2
which is only 26°.
 Converse of Hinge Theorem or SSS Inequality Theorem

If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two sides of a

second triangle, and the third side of the first triangle is
longer than the third side of the second, then the included
angle in the first triangle is larger than the included angle
in the second triangle.
Consider 𝛥𝑀𝑂𝑃 and 𝛥𝑄𝑅𝑆. Which angle is larger, ∠𝑀 or ∠𝑆?
Situation: Apply the SSS Inequality Theorem to
determine which figure has a greater measure of the
included angle. (Note: The figure is not drawn to
scale.)

Solution: Applying the Converse of Hinge Theorem or SSS Inequality

Theorem makes the angle opposite the 8-meter side length larger than
the angle opposite the 5- meter side length of a triangle. Thus, the
included angle in Figure 1 has a greater measure than the included
angle in Figure 2.
Arrange the angles of ∆𝐴𝐵𝐶 from greatest to least measure
given the lengths of its sides.
A. Use the Triangle Inequality Theorem 3 (𝑆1 + 𝑆2 > 𝑆3) in determining
whether the following numbers in cm can be side lengths of a triangle. Put a
check mark (√) to indicate your answer.

1) 9, 13, 20

2) 3, 4, 8

3) 4, 25, 30
B. Find the possible values for the length of the third side 𝑥
using the Triangle Inequality Theorem 3 (𝑆1 + 𝑆2 > 𝑆3).
1) 14, 36
2) 2) 8, 21
3) 3) 13, 40
 tri-G L E (Greater than, Less than, or Equal)

Directions: Study the figure below and use >, <, or = to

compare the measures of angles and sides.
Directions: Consider the situation below and answer the questions that
follow. Situation: Anna and Leo start from the same point and
decided to walk in opposite directions. Anna walks 50
meters East then took another 30 meters South. Leo
walks 30 meters West. He then takes a right turn of 40°
and walks another 50 meters as shown in the figure
below.
1. Who is farther from the point where
they started? Support your answer.
2. What theorem/s is/are applied in
the situation?
Directions: Study the illustration and answer the questions
that follow.

1. In the illustration,
which angle between
𝑥 and 𝑦 has a greater
measure? Support
your answer.
2. What theorem/s
is/are applied in the
situation?
Read and analyze the given situation and answer the
following questions.
Situation: Three roads intersect at certain points as illustrated in
the figure below.
1. What is the measure of ∠𝐴?
2. List down the angles of 𝛥𝑀𝐴𝑃 from
least to greatest measure.
3. Arrange the sides of 𝛥𝑀𝐴𝑃 in
ascending order.
4. Between 𝑀 and 𝐴, which
intersection is closer to 𝑃?
5. List down the exterior angles found
in the illustration.
6. Which of these exterior angles has a
measure of 125°?
One of the real-life applications of Hinge Theorem is seen in
clocks. In the illustration below, each clock displays different time.
Directions: Observe each clock and answer the questions that follow.

1. Do the lengths of the hands of the clock change as the time (hour) changes?
2. What do you observe about the measures of the angles formed by the hands of the
clock at different hours?
3. What affects the measure of the distance between the tips of the hands of the clock?
Explain.