Question 30
EasyOriginal questionWhich of these sets of three numbers can be the side lengths of a right-angled triangle?
Show the answer and explanation
CorrectNot quiteAnswer D
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Check whether the squares of the two smaller numbers add up to the square of the largest.
, so 20, 21, 29 works.
The others miss by one: , and , so 42, 62 and 21 are wrong.
Worth noting
Each wrong set is a real triplet with the last number changed, so recognising 'nearly familiar' numbers is a trap. Always square and check.
- Concept
- Recognising Pythagorean triplets
- Typical timeTypical
- 40 s
- Your timeYours
- —
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Ten questions from Lines, Triangles and Circles, at your own pace.