1991 AMC 12 Problem 4

Attempt Problem 4 of the 1991 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1991 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

4.

Which of the following triangles cannot exist?
An acute isosceles triangle
An isosceles right triangle
An obtuse right triangle
A scalene right triangle
A scalene obtuse triangle
Answer: C
Concepts:triangleangle classification
Small hint:
A right triangle already contains an angle of 90∘90^\circ
Big hint:
An obtuse triangle must contain an angle greater than 90∘90^\circ
Solution:
A right triangle has one 90∘90^\circ angle, leaving only 90∘90^\circ for its other two positive angles together. Neither remaining angle can therefore be obtuse. Hence a triangle cannot be both right and obtuse.
Thus the correct answer is C.
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