When it comes to triangles, the sides of the shape are often the most important factor. It’s no surprise then that one of the most frequently asked questions about triangles is whether side C is always the longest. The answer is, unfortunately, not as straightforward as it may seem.
Triangles come in many shapes and sizes and, as such, the length of side C can vary greatly. It depends on the type of triangle in question and the measurements of the other two sides. For instance, in an equilateral triangle, all sides are equal in length, meaning that side C is no longer the longest. Similarly, in an isosceles triangle, two of the sides are equal in length and side C may or may not be the longest, depending on the measurements of each side.
In a right-angled triangle, side C is always the longest and is referred to as the hypotenuse. This is because the longest side of a right-angled triangle is always opposite the right angle and, since the other two angles of the triangle are equal in length, the longest side is side C.
It is also worth noting that, even in a non-right-angled triangle, side C can still be the longest. This is because the longest side will always be opposite the largest angle. As such, if angle A is the largest of the three angles, then side C will be the longest side.
In conclusion, it is not always true that side C is the longest on a triangle. It depends on the type of triangle and the measurements of each side. In an equilateral triangle, all sides are equal in length, while in an isosceles triangle, side C may or may not be the longest depending on the measurements of each side. In a right-angled triangle, side C will always be the longest, while in a non-right-angled triangle, side C can be the longest depending on which angle is the largest.
