Triangle mystery

[pgrmdave]

The slopes of the two smaller triangles aren't the same - one is 3/8, one is 2/5 - there is no way that they could form a triangle.

[hefner]

Originally Posted by pgrmdave

The slopes of the two smaller triangles aren't the same - one is 3/8, one is 2/5 - there is no way that they could form a triangle.

Precisely what I found as well! Hence my answer in post #3 above was the correct one: the hypotenuse bulges somewhat in the lower drawing, and is a tad concave on the top specimen.

Afterthought: that puzzle is one of the kewlest tantalizers ever!!!

[Tim_Lou]

mystery solved

[bumab]

Looks to me as if the angled side of the triangle is slightly bowed in, thus the slopes are slightly different. That's why the two triangles, when switched, form a different slope. I bet that's where the extra space comes from, the difference in the non-linear edge