SOLUTION: if segment PR=10 and segment PQ=4, then what does segment QR=, it does not say that the three points collinear or not,I used the segment addition postulate and came out with 14 but

Algebra ->  Length-and-distance -> SOLUTION: if segment PR=10 and segment PQ=4, then what does segment QR=, it does not say that the three points collinear or not,I used the segment addition postulate and came out with 14 but      Log On


   

Question 1038101: if segment PR=10 and segment PQ=4, then what does segment QR=, it does not say that the three points collinear or not,I used the segment addition postulate and came out with 14 but it says i'm wrong the problem only says to find QR and the diagram shows, P______Q___________R what am I doing wrong
Answer by Theo(13342) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
it's probably a straight line.
PR is the length of the line segment that includes the smaller line segments PQ and QR.
PQ is equal to 4.
since PR is the line segment that includes line segments PQ and PR, and since PQ = 4, then QR must be equal to 6 becauswe 4 + 6 = 10.

the line segment postulate states:

In geometry, the segment addition postulate states that given two points A and C, a third point B lies on the line segment AC if and only if the distances between the points satisfy the equation AB + BC = AC.

you are given points P and R, and your third point is equal to Q tthat is in between.

this means that PQ + QR = PR

you are given PR = 10 and you are given PQ = 4.
this means that 4 + QR = 10
subtract 4 from both sides of this equation to get QR = 6

it's the addition postulate, but you are not given the parts.
you are given the whole and one of the parts and you are asked to find the other part.

it's no different that somebody saying that 4 + x = 10 and asking you to find x.