document.write( "Question 256379: For how many integer values of x does there exist a triangle whose sides have
\n" ); document.write( "length 2 1/2, 5, and x ?
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #188490 by Edwin McCravy(20056)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
\r\n" );
document.write( "In any triangle, the sum of any two sides must be greater\r\n" );
document.write( "than the third side.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "That is, these three inequalities must hold:\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\"system%282%261%2F2%2B5%3Ex%2C+2%261%2F2%2Bx%3E5%2C+5%2Bx%3E=2%261%2F2%29\"\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "The third inequality is bound to hold, since regardless\r\n" );
document.write( "of what positive integer x is the left side is larger\r\n" );
document.write( "than 5 so obviously it's larger than \"2%261%2F2\".\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "So we only need to concentrate on the first two inequalities.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "The first inequality abounts to \"7.5%3Ex\" and the second\r\n" );
document.write( "inequality, when solved for x amounts to \"x%3E2.5\".\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "Thus x is an integer such that \"2.5%3Cx%3C7.5\" and the only\r\n" );
document.write( "integers between 2.5 and 7.5 are 3,4,5,6,and 7.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "So those are the only integers x can take on.  The answer is 5.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "Edwin
\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );