Question 39

The hypotenuse is the side opposite from the right angle.

In a right triangle, the hypotenuse is defined as the longest side, which is always located opposite the right angle.

A) The hypotenuse is the side opposite from the right angle

This statement is correct as it accurately describes the hypotenuse of a right triangle, which is indeed the side opposite to the right angle.

B) The three angles add to 90 degrees

This statement is incorrect. In any triangle, the sum of all three angles equals 180 degrees, not 90 degrees. In a right triangle, one angle is 90 degrees, and the remaining two angles must add up to 90 degrees.

C) The triangle has three sides, which are all considered legs

This statement is incorrect. While a right triangle does have three sides, only two sides are referred to as legs, which are the sides that form the right angle. The hypotenuse is the third side and is not considered a leg.

D) The hypotenuse equals the sum of the legs

This statement is also incorrect. The relationship among the sides of a right triangle is described by the Pythagorean theorem, which states that the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the legs, not the sum of the legs themselves.

Conclusion

Option A is definitively correct as it accurately identifies a fundamental property of right triangles, while all other options present incorrect statements about the nature of the triangle's angles and sides. This understanding of the hypotenuse's position is essential in distinguishing right triangles from other types.