Can 2, 3 and 4 make a triangle

Step by step

The question

Question: can sides of 2, 3 and 4 make a triangle?

For a triangle, the two short sides together must be longer than the longest side.

Else they cannot meet.

1 Add the two short sides

The longest side is 4.

We lay it down first.

The two short sides are 2 and 3.

Together: 5.

2 Compare with the longest

Swing them up from the ends.

5 is more than 4, so they meet at the top.

So yes: they make a triangle.

3 Check

Let's check the other two pairs: 2 plus 4 is 6, and 3 plus 4 is 7.

Both are more than the third side.

So only the short pair decides.

So the answer is right!

Let's look back.

First: add the two short sides.

Then: compare with the longest.

Last: check.