[Math] Can a triangle have a side length of zero

triangles

I am writing a program that determines the type of triangle it is based on the three side lengths. I think I have covered all the bases with one exception that I am not sure of. A triangle with all sides of zero is it a triangle or not? Following the Triangle Inequality Theorem a triangle with all sides zero does not pass the test. But is it a triangle with all sides zero a special case like in set theory a zero set is a special kind of set. Finally, I do not think that a triangle can have a one of the sides length of zero because that would not pass the Triangle Inequality Theorem test.

For example I do not think you can find three sides with one of the sides equal to zero that would satisfy;

a + b > c

a + c > b

b + c > a

I am just trying to find out if a triangle can have a side or all sides of zero length and if one does is it a valid triangle.

Best Answer

Yes, and any such triangle is called a degenerate triangle. If the distance between two points $a$ and $b$ is zero, then the corresponding vertex $\overline{ab}$ is the zero vector, which is collinear to every vector (which includes $\overline{ac}$ and $\overline{bc}$). Hence the vectors defining the triangle are all collinear, i.e., a degenerate triangle.

As to your question regarding a "Triangle Inequality Test", this "test" seems likely to be a teaching tool for classification rather than a definitive rule. But the triangle inequality itself does permit equality which occurs if and only if the triangle is degenerate.

Permitting degenerate triangles can greatly reduce the number of special cases in integration over polygons, as an example of mathematical use.