Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Mathematics Practice Exam

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Which of the following is true about the hypotenuse in a right triangle?

It is the shortest side
It is opposite the right angle
It is equal to the sum of the other two sides
It can never be longer than the other sides

The correct answer is: It is opposite the right angle

The hypotenuse of a right triangle is defined as the longest side of the triangle, and it is always located opposite the right angle. This is a fundamental property of right triangles, which differentiates them from other types of triangles. In a right triangle, the two other sides are known as the legs, and they are always shorter than the hypotenuse. Understanding this concept is crucial because it plays a key role in various geometric principles and calculations, such as the Pythagorean theorem, which relates the lengths of the sides of a right triangle. The theorem states that the square of the length of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides, reinforcing the idea that the hypotenuse is indeed the longest side. The other options involve misunderstandings about the properties of right triangles. For example, the hypotenuse cannot be the shortest side or equal to the sum of the other sides, as these statements contradict the fundamental definitions and properties of triangles.