6d (edited) • General discussion
Can random sticks make a triangle?
If you had a pile of sticks (lines) of random length could you always make a triangle out of three of them?
If not, can you figure out a rule for whether they can or not?
What about making a four-sided figure from four sticks? Do the same rules apply?
Scroll down for a hint. Solution at the bottom.
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Hint: No, you can't take any three random sticks and make a triangle or four-sided figure out of them. There is a specific relationship between their lengths that must be true.
Scroll down for the answer.
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Answer: For a triangle, the combined length of the two shorter sticks must be longer than the length of the longest one. To put it on more mathematical language is 0 < a < b < c then a + b > c to make a triangle. This is called the Triangle Inequality.
For a four-sided figure the answer is similar, the sum of the three shortest sides must be bigger than the longest side.
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Can random sticks make a triangle?
