SOLUTION: Two sides of an obtuse triangle measure 10 inches and 15 inches. The length of longest side is unknown. What is the smallest possible whole-number length of the unknown side?

Question 1009101: Two sides of an obtuse triangle measure 10 inches and 15 inches. The length of longest side is unknown.
What is the smallest possible whole-number length of the unknown side?

Answer by fractalier(6550) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
It has to be the next largest integer greater than the Pythagorean distance of legs 10 and 15...
c^2 = a^2 + b^2 = 15^2 + 10^2 = 225 + 100 = 325
Since c is the largest side, and the triangle is obtuse, c must be opposite the obtuse angle.
The square root of 325 is a touch over 18, so the answer must be
19 inches.
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