SOLUTION: A triangle has two sides that measure 2.5 cm and 16.5 cm. Which could be the measure of the third side? A. 5.5 cm B. 12.5 cm C. 14 cm D. 17 cm Im very confuse by this i ne

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Question 732174: A triangle has two sides that measure 2.5 cm and 16.5 cm. Which could be the measure of the third side?
A. 5.5 cm
B. 12.5 cm
C. 14 cm
D. 17 cm
Im very confuse by this i need to learn the steps to solving problems like this.
Found 3 solutions by Alan3354, lynnlo, josmiceli:
Answer by Alan3354(69443)   (Show Source):
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A triangle has two sides that measure 2.5 cm and 16.5 cm. Which could be the measure of the third side?
A. 5.5 cm
B. 12.5 cm
C. 14 cm
D. 17 cm
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The 3rd side has to be more than the difference and less than the sum of the other 2.
----
16.5-2.5 < s < 16.5+2.5
14 < s < 19

Answer by lynnlo(4176)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
ANSWER IS C
2SIDES MEASURE======2.5 AND 16.5
THE THIRD SIDE HAS TO BE GREATER THANTHE DIFFERENCE ,AND LESS THAN THE SUM OF THE OTHER 2 SIDES
16.5-2.5 14

Answer by josmiceli(19441)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You have to picture this triangle with the 3rd side being
formed by the surface of a table and the 2.5 cm side and the
16.5 cm side above the table. The junction of the given sides
have a hinge between them so you can make any size triangle
you want with the 3rd side being the table's surface.
--------------
Spread the hinged sides out so the given sides lay out flat
on the table. Now you have the limit of how long the 3rd
side can be- it is cm
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Now swing the 2.5 cm side back so it fold onto the 16.5 cm side
and lay it on the table. This tells you the short limit of the 3rd
side. It is
---------------
So the 3rd side has to be between 19 and 14. It can't be 14
because that would be just a line. The answer is D. 17