What Is a Perfect Triple?

The phrase "a perfect triple" can refer to a number of different things. It is a common phrase in areas as diverse as mathematics, chemistry and the world of sports.

Mathematics

• A perfect triple, or a Pythagorean triple, refers to right triangles. A triple is any set of three positive integers that make up the legs and hypotenuse of a right triangle when using the Pythagorean theorem. The smallest perfect triple is 3, 4, 5. Others include 5, 12, 13 as well as 9, 40, 41.

Chemistry

• In organic chemistry, a perfect triple can refer to a triple bond. A triple bond is when two elements share six electrons between them instead of the usual two. This most commonly happens between carbon atoms.

Figure Skating

• In figure skating, a perfect triple can refer to any move perfectly executed in a series of three. Common triples include the triple Lutz, triple toe loop, triple axel and triple salchow. These are all jumps that require three revolutions to be referred to as a triple.