triangle inequality

noun

, Mathematics.

1. the theorem that the absolute value of the sum of two quantities is less than or equal to the sum of the absolute values of the quantities.
2. the related theorem that the magnitude of the sum of two vectors is less than or equal to the sum of the magnitudes of the vectors.
3. (for metric spaces) the related theorem that the distance between two points does not exceed the sum of their distances from any third point.

Word History and Origins

Origin of triangle inequality¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

If we allow a,b,c to be the sides of the triangle and x,y,z to be the corresponding heights, we get: a*x = 2A b*y = 2A c*z = 2A We then set x,y, and z to be 1, 2, and 3. a = 2A b = A c = 2A/3 The triangle inequality states that a 2A < A + 2A/3.

From New York Times