document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=217905>Question 217905</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> The lengths of the sides of a triangle are all whole numbers.  The triangle has a perimeter (distance around the shape) of M units.  If someone gives you a value for M, determine the shortest possible length of a side.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "this is a problem my teacher asigned us for the wekkend i have worked on it for two hourrs but nothing is making sense. im not sure what to do at all. PLEASE HELP ME </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #164225 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=scott8148><B>scott8148(6628)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=scott8148><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=scott8148><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=164225\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> the sides are all whole numbers (so M must also be a whole number)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "the smallest (non-zero) whole number is 1\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "in a triangle, the sum of any two sides must be greater than the third side; otherwise the triangle doesn't \"close up\"\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "so 3 is the smallest possible value for M ___ with a side of 1\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "M=4 doesn't close ___ 1+1 is NOT greater than 2\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "M=5 ; 2, 2, 1\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "M=6 ; 3, 2, 1 doesn't close ___ but 2, 2, 2 works\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "M=7 ; 3, 3, 1\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "M=8 ; 4, 3, 1 doesn't close ___ but 3, 3, 2 works\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "it looks like:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "___ if M is odd, then the shortest side is 1<BR>\n" );
document.write( "___ if M is even (except for 4), then the shortest side is 2 </SPAN>\n" );
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