16Hit1600
Geometry and TrigonometryHardPossible length of a triangle's third side

Geometry and Trigonometry practice question

Triangle PQR has PQ = 5 and QR = 7. Which of the following could be the length of PR?

  1. A. 8Correct
  2. B. 2
  3. C. 12
  4. D. 13

Answer: A. 8

The third side must be greater than 7 − 5 = 2 and less than 7 + 5 = 12.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. 2
2 is not greater than the difference of the other sides.
C. 12
12 is not less than the sum of the other sides.
D. 13
13 exceeds the sum of the other sides.

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