Question the-tr

4.1 Lines, Angles, and Triangles - Triangle inequality
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The triangle inequality theorem states that the sum of any two sides of a triangle must be greater than the length of the third side. If a triangle has side lengths of 6 and 12 , which inequality represents the possible lengths, x , of the third side of the triangle?

A.

x<18

B.

x>18

C.

6 <x<18

D.

x<6 or x>18

The triangle inequality theorem states that the sum of any two sides of a triangle must

Hard-difficulty · SAT Math · Lines, Angles, and Triangles — Triangle inequality. Read the question above, select your answer, and check the full explanation below to understand exactly why the correct choice works.

Answer explanation

Choice C is correct. It’s given that a triangle has side lengths of 6 and 12 , and x represents the length of the third side of the triangle. It’s also given that the triangle inequality theorem states that the sum of any two sides of a triangle must be greater than the length of the third side. Therefore, the inequalities 6+x>12, 6+12>x, and 12+x>6 represent all possible values of x . Subtracting 6 from both sides of the inequality 6+x>12 yields x>12-6, or x>6. Adding 6 and 12 in the inequality 6+12>x yields 18>x, or x<18. Subtracting 12 from both sides of the inequality 12+x>6 yields x>6-12, or x>-6. Since all x-values that satisfy the inequality x>6 also satisfy the inequality x>-6, it follows that the inequalities x>6 and x<18 represent the possible values of x . Therefore, the inequality 6<x<18 represents the possible lengths, x , of the third side of the triangle.

Choice A is incorrect. This inequality gives the upper bound for x but does not include its lower bound.

Choice B is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.

Choice D is incorrect and may result from conceptual or calculation errors.