Sum of Two Sides of Triangle Greater than Third Side

Theorem
Given a triangle $ABC$, the sum of the lengths of any two sides of the triangle is greater than the length of the third side.

Proof

 * Triangle Inequality.png

We can extend $BA$ past $A$ into a straight line.

There exists a point $D$ such that $DA = CA$.

Therefore, from Isosceles Triangle has Two Equal Angles:
 * $\angle ADC = \angle ACD$

Thus, $\angle BCD > \angle BDC$ by Euclid's fifth common notion.

Since $\triangle DCB$ is a triangle having $\angle BCD$ greater than $\angle BDC$, this means that $BD > BC$.

But:
 * $BD = BA + AD$

and:
 * $AD = AC$

Thus:
 * $BA + AC > BC$

A similar argument shows that $AC + BC > BA$ and $BA + BC > AC$.