Question the-tr
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 and , which inequality represents the possible lengths, , of the third side of the triangle?
or
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 and , and 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 , , and represent all possible values of . Subtracting from both sides of the inequality yields , or . Adding and in the inequality yields , or . Subtracting from both sides of the inequality yields , or . Since all x-values that satisfy the inequality also satisfy the inequality , it follows that the inequalities and represent the possible values of . Therefore, the inequality represents the possible lengths, , of the third side of the triangle.
Choice A is incorrect. This inequality gives the upper bound for 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.
More Lines, Angles, and Triangles practice questions
- Counterclockwise from top right, the lines are labeled s, r, q, and t. Line
- In △ R S T , the measure of ∠ R is 63 °
- Clockwise from top left, the 3 lines are labeled t, m, and n. Line
- In triangle X Y Z , angle Y is a right angle, point P
- At the intersection of the 2 lines, the angles are labeled clockwise from top
- Triangles A B C and D E F are congruent, where A corresponds to
- Clockwise from top left, the 3 lines are labeled t, p, and q. Line
- A circle has center O , and points R and S lie on the
Browse all Additional Topics in Math practice questions or return to the full SAT question bank.
