Question

If LM = 7 and LN 7 and LN = 18, what is MN?​

Answer 1

Answer:

There are two possible values: MN=5 or MN=19

Step-by-step explanation:

The points L and N are collinear, so we can visualize them on a right line as in Figure 1.  

First suppose that M is between L and N as in Figure 2. Then we can compute the distance between L and N as LN=LM+MN. Substracting LM from both sides, we obtain that MN=LN-LM=12-7=5.

For the other possibility, suppose that M is not between L and N as in Figure 3. Because LM<LN, it's impossible that M is located further to the right than N. Then M isn't at the right of L. Therefore, M is at the left of L, so L is between M and N, so the distance between M and N is given by MN=ML+LN=LM+LN=7+12=19.

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I hope this helps