Lesson 5 – Indirect Proof and Inequalities in One Triangle

Bell Work: Simplify each expression. (Hint – simplify each radical first –
then add or subtract)

1. 8 + 50 2. 20 + 80 3. 3 25 − 4

Indirect Proof
In an indirect proof, you start by making an assumption that the desired
conclusion is false. Then, you show that this assumption leads to a logical
impossibility, so your original assumption must therefore be wrong by
contradiction.

Read the following algebraic example that illustrates this idea:

Given: x = 2
Prove: 3x − 5 ≠ 10

Step 1: Assume the conclusion is false. The opposite of 3x − 5 ≠ 10 is

that 3x − 5 = 10 .
Step 2: Find a contradiction. Solving this equation for x gives:
3x − 5 = 10
3x = 15
x =5
Step 3: Point out the desired contradiction, and therefore the original
conclusion must be true. x = 5 contradicts the given statement
that x = 2 , therefore 3x − 5 ≠ 10 .

Read the next geometric example illustrating an indirect proof:

Given: VABC is isosceles
Prove: The base angles cannot be 92° .
Step 1: Assume the conclusion is false. The opposite of “the base angles
cannot be 92° is that the base angles are each 92° .
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Step 2: Find a contradiction. If the base angles are each 92° , then
they add up to 184° . This contradicts the V angle sum theorem
that says the angles of a triangle add to 180° .
Step 3: Point out the desired contradiction, and therefore the original
conclusion must be true. The sum of the angles of a triangle
cannot be 184° , therefore the base angles of an isosceles
triangle cannot be 92° .

In each of the following examples, determine what assumption must be

false to begin the indirect proof (you don’t have to complete the proof)

Example 1: Example 2:
Given: ∠A and ∠B are complementary Given: x is even, y is odd
Prove: m ∠A ≤ 90° Prove: x + y is odd
________________________ _____________________

Example 3: Example 4:
Given: VABC is equilateral Given: VABC is a rt V
Prove: The circumcenter and the Prove: Its sides cannot be
incenter are the same point 3, 4, and 6 inches long.
________________________ _____________________

Now complete the indirect proof

Example 5:
Given: VABC
Prove: VABC can have at most one right angle

Step 1: Assume the conclusion is false.

Step 2: Find a contradiction

Step 3: Point out the contradiction, and desired conclusion

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Triangle Inequalities

In VABC mark the longest sides and the largest angle.

In VDEF mark the smallest side and the smallest angle.
What do you notice?
C F

A D
B E

Triangle Sides and Angles Theorem

In a triangle, if one side is longer than another, then the longer side is
opposite the larger angle, and the shorter side is opposite the smaller
angle.

Example 6: List the angles in order from smallest

to largest.

______ ______ ______

Example 7: List the sides in order from shortest

to longest.

Example 8: In VABC , m ∠A = 2x + 10 , m ∠B = 3x − 20 and

m ∠C = x + 32 . List the sides of VABC in order from shortest to
longest.

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Triangle Inequality Theorem
The sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle is greater than the
length of the third side of the triangle.
C

A B

Example 9: Determine whether or not it is possible to have a triangle

with the given side lengths. Explain.
a. 4, 9, 10 b. 8, 9, 19 c. 5, 7, 12

Example 10: A triangle has two sides with lengths 14 and 9. Give the
possible values for the length of the third side.

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6.5 Indirect Proof and Inequalities on One Triangle Homework
Name_______________
Block______

List the angles from smallest to largest.

1. 2. 3.

List the sides from shortest to longest

4. 5. 6.

For 7 – 9, determine if it is possible to have a triangle with the given side lengths.
Explain.
7. 15, 37, 53 8. 9, 16, 8 9. 17, 40, 23

10. Describe the possible values for x in the figure shown:

11. List the angles from smallest to largest.

Show your work, and explain your reasoning.

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12. Write an indirect proof
V
Given: ABC
V
Prove: ABC has at most one obtuse angle

13. Write an indirect proof

V
Given: ABC , m ∠A = 100°
Prove: ∠B is not a right angle

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Lesson 6 – Inequalities in Two Triangles

Bell Work:
75 + 12 2. 30 + 120 3. 75 − 5

The Hinge Theorem:

If two sides of one triangle are congruent to two
sides of another triangle, and the included angle of
the first is larger than the included angle of the
second, then the third side of the first is longer
than the third side of the second.

The Converse of the Hinge Theorem

The converse is also true. Write the converse:
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

Example 1: Given that ST ≅ PR how does

m ∠PST compare to m ∠SPR ?

Example 2: Given that JK ≅ LK , how

K
does JM compare to LM?
64° 61°

J M L

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Example 3: Complete the proof
B
Given: AB ≅ BC , AD > DC
Prove: m ∠ABD > m ∠CBD

A C
D

Example 4: Complete the proof

Given: ∠XWY ≅ ∠XYW , WZ > YZ
Prove: m ∠WXZ > m ∠YXZ

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Example 5: Two groups of bikers leave the same Circle K heading in
opposite directions. Each group travels 2 miles, then changes direction
and travels 1.2 miles. Group A starts due east, then turns 45° toward
north. Group B starts due west and then turns 30° toward south.
Which group is farther from the Circle K? Explain your reasoning.

Example 6: In VDEF , DM is a median. Determine if each statement is

always, sometimes, or never true.
a. if m ∠2 > m ∠1 , then ED > FD _____
b. If m ∠E > m ∠F , then ∠1 is obtuse _____
c. If ∠2 is acute, then m ∠F > m ∠E _____
d. If m ∠E < m ∠F , then m ∠1 < m ∠2 _____
e. m ∠2 > m ∠1 , then ED > FD _____
f. if m ∠D = 90° , then FD > ED _____

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6.6 Inequalities in Two Triangles Homework
Name ___________________
Block _____

Complete the statement with <, >, or = . Explain your reasoning

1. AC _____ DF 2. m∠HGI _____ m∠IGJ

3. m∠1 _____ m∠2 4. KL _____ MN

Write and solve an inequality for the possible values of x.

5. 6.

7. Given: TV ≅ UW , TU > VW 8. Given: m∠1 > m∠2, B is the midpt of AC.

Prove: m∠TVU > m∠WUV Prove: AF > CF

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9. Two sailboats started at the same location. Sailboat A traveled 5 miles west, then
turned 29° toward the north and continued for 8 miles. Sailboat B first went south for
8 miles, then turned 51° toward the east and continued for 5 miles. Which sailboat
was farther from the starting point? Explain your reasoning.

10. You and your friend leave on different flights from the same airport. Your flight
Flies 100 miles due west, then turns 20° toward north and flies 50 miles. Your friend’s
flight Flies 100 miles due north, then turns 30° toward east and flies 50 miles.
Determine which flight is farther from the airport. Explain your reasoning

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