A triangle has the following measurements. What is a possible length for the third side?

AB = 4, BC = 17, CA = ?

18

5

10

12

Those two sides added up should be less than the answer? or more than the answer....
Or am I doing it wrong totally.....

Question

A triangle has the following measurements. What is a possible length for the third side?

AB = 4, BC = 17, CA = ?

18

5

10

12 

Those two sides added up should be less than the answer? or more than the answer....
Or am I doing it wrong totally.....

anonymous · Answer

The third side can't be longer than the sum of the two other sides...  the third side can be equal to the sum only in a special (and dumb) case...
imagine a "flat" triangle that is a straight line, with one vertex in the middle...|dw:1349820593502:dw|

anonymous · Answer

so, in general, AC must be shorter than AB + BC... if point B is up above the base AC anywhere, the sum of the two sides will be greater than the third side|dw:1349820713322:dw|

anonymous · Answer

I think I got it. THANKS!

anonymous · Answer

you are welcome!