SOLUTION: Can the perimeter of an isosceles right triangle be a whole number? Why or why not?
Algebra
->
Triangles
-> SOLUTION: Can the perimeter of an isosceles right triangle be a whole number? Why or why not?
Log On
Geometry: Triangles
Geometry
Solvers
Solvers
Lessons
Lessons
Answers archive
Answers
Click here to see ALL problems on Triangles
Question 578924
:
Can the perimeter of an isosceles right triangle be a whole number? Why or why not?
Answer by
richard1234(7193)
(
Show Source
):
You can
put this solution on YOUR website!
Yes. Suppose the lengths of the triangle are x, x, and x*sqrt(2). Then the perimeter is
We never said that x had to be a whole number. If we let
, for example, then
, which is a whole number.