Question

What is the range of possible sizes for x?

Answer 1

Answer:

0.5 < x < 15.5

Step-by-step explanation:

Triangle Inequality Theorem

Let y and z be two of the side lengths of a triangle. The length of the third side x cannot be any number. It must satisfy all the following restrictions:

x + y > z

x + z > y

y + z > x

Combining the above inequalities, and provided y>z, the third size must satisfy:

y - z < x < y + z

The two side lengths given in the triangle of the figure are y=8.5, z=8.0, thus the possible values of x lie in the interval

8.5 - 8.0 < x < 8.5 + 8.0

0.5 < x < 15.5