Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION IV- A CALABARZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF BATANGAS
ALUPAY NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
ALUPAY, ROSARIO, BATANGAS

MATHEMATICS 8
Learning Activity Sheet 2
Week 2 Quarter 4

Name: _____________________ Score: _________

Section:____________________ Date:__________

Theorems on Triangle Inequalities and its Application

Triangle Inequality

It states that the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle is greater than the length of the remaining
side. It follows from the fact that a straight line is the shortest path between two points. The inequality is strict if the
triangle is non-degenerate (meaning it has a non-zero area).

Activity 1: Yeah or Nay

Can you make a triangle having the lengths of the following?

Length Yes No

1. 2cm, 3cm, 5cm

2. 3cm, 4cm, 5cm

3. 5cm, 3cm, 6cm

4. 6cm, 1cm, 2cm

5. 4cm, 3cm, 6cm

What is It: Let’s Get to Know

Activity 1 proves that not all three given lengths can form a triangle. In item 1, it’s a “No”. If we will add 2cm and
3 cm the result is not greater than 5cm which is the third side. We should remember theorem that states “the sum of
the lengths of any two sides of a triangle is greater than the length of the remaining side” before we can conclude that
the three given length can automatically form a triangle. So in order to know this concept deeper, let us proceed to the
discussion below.

Inequalities Theorem Definition

In One Triangle
1.Theorem 1 (Ss Aa) If one side of a triangle is longer than a second side, then the angle
opposite the first side is larger than the angle opposite the second side.

2. Theorem 2 (Aa Ss) If one angle of a triangle is larger than a second angle, then the side
opposite the first angle is longer than the side opposite the second angle.
 3. 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.

4.Exterior Angle Inequality Theorem The measure of an exterior angle of a triangle is greater than the measure
of either remote interior angle

In Two Triangles
5.Hinge Theorem or SAS Inequality If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two sides of another triangle,
Theorem but the included angle of the first triangle is greater than the included
angle of the second, then the third side of the first triangle is longer than
the third side of the second.

6.Converse of Hinge Theorem or SSS If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two sides of another triangle,
Inequality Theorem but the third side of the first triangle is longer than the third side of the
second, then the included angle of the first triangle is larger than the
included angle of the second.

Theorem1: If one side of a triangle is longer than a second side, then the angle opposite the first side is larger than the
angle opposite the second side.

Proof:

If 4 < 5 < 7 ; AB < BC < AC

Then m C <m A < m B

Theorem 2: If one angle of a triangle is larger than a second angle, then the side opposite the
angle is longer than the side opposite the second angle.

If 78º > 58º > 44º ;

m B>m A>m C then AC > BC > AB

Theorem 3: The sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle is greater than the length of
the third side.
Two Options:
a. AC is the longest
- 12 + 17 > x
- 29 > x
- x< 29
b. BC is the longest
- x + 12 > 17
- x +12 -12 > 17 – 12
- x>5
therefore, 5 < x < 29
 In the first option, it implies that the value of x which is the side AC must be less than 29 while in the second
option, the value of x must be greater than 5. Therefore, 5 < x < 29 simply means that the values of x ranges from 6 to
28. To show this, let’s have an example then we will check if the inequality is true.

For example:
Let x = 20
a. AC is the longest

12 + 17 > x

12 + 17 > 20

29 > 20 (True)

Let x = 10
b. BC is the longest x + 12 > 17
10 +12 >17
22 > 17 (True)

Exterior Angle Inequality Theorem: The measure of an exterior angle of a triangle is greater than the measure of either
remote interior angle

m∠4 > m∠ 1 or m∠4 > m∠2 or m∠4 = 𝑚∠1 + 𝑚∠2

m ∠4 = 𝑚∠1 + 𝑚∠2 This means that the measure

of an exterior angle of a triangle is
equal to the sum of the measures of
its two remote interior angles.

Hinge Theorem or SAS Inequality Theorem: If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two sides of another triangle,
but the included angle of the first triangle is greater than the included angle of the second, then the third side of the first
triangle is longer than the third side of the second.

EF > BC AB = DE , AC = DF m∠𝐷 > 𝑚∠𝐴

Converse of Hinge Theorem or SSS Inequality Theorem: If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two sides of
another triangle, but the third side of the first triangle is longer than the third side of the second, then the included
angle of the first triangle is larger than the included angle of the second.

m∠ 𝐴𝐶𝐵 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚∠ 𝐺𝐷𝐸

m∠ 𝐴𝐶𝐵 > 𝑚∠ 𝐺𝐷𝐸
 What’s More
Activity 2: It’s My Turn

Consider the illustrations.

Questions:
_____1. If ̅MI̅̅̅ = 15 and IX̅ = 12, then what can you say about m∠1 and m∠3?
_____2. If m∠1 = 650 and m∠3 = 500, then what can you say about sides MI and IX?
_____3. If MI = 15 and IX = 12, then what may be the measure of MX?
_____4. If m∠2 = 650 and m∠3 = 500, then what is the measure of ∠4?

Note to the learner:

In question number 1 in activity 2, m∠1 > m∠3 by applying Theorem 1 that states, “If one side of a triangle is
longer than a second side, then the angle opposite the first side is larger than the angle opposite the second side”. Angle
1 is the opposite of side MI which measures 15 while angle 3 is the opposite of side IX which only measures 12. Since 15
is greater than 12, therefore, the measure of angle 1 is greater than the measure of angle 3.
Assessment: (Post-Test)
Directions: Read and analyze the questions below. Write only the letter of the choice that you think
best answers the questions.
_____1. The triangle inequality theorem states the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle is ______________
the length of the third side.
a. greater than
b. less than
c. greater than or equal to
d. less than or equal to
_____2. Name the smallest angle in this triangle.

a. ∠𝐿
b. ∠𝑂
c. ∠𝑉
d. None of these
_____3. Does this triangle with these side lengths exist? 12, 9, 6
a. Yes b. No c. I don’t know d. Maybe
_____4. In ∆CAT and ∆DOG shown below, which of the following statement is true?
a. CT is longer than DG
b. DG is shorter than CT
c. CA is longer than DO
d. DG is longer than CA
_____5. Two sides of a triangle have side length of 15 meters and 10 meters. What is the range of possible lengths of the
third side?
a. 6 > x > 12 b. 5 < x < 26 c. 10 > x >15 d. 7 > x > 5

Prepared by:

MARITESS A. ANDAL
Math 8 Teacher