Question

Greg joins three magnetic sticks having unequal lengths to make a triangle, as shown below.

A scalene triangle is formed by joining three magnetic sticks. The two sides of a scalene triangle are 3 cm and 4 cm long. The third side is not known.

What is most likely the length of the third stick?

8 cm

6 cm

9 cm

7 cm

Answer 1

@Katt♥

There's a big hint given here - the lengths of the sides... how long do you think the ??? side would be in this diagram?



or this one?

Answer 2

7?

Answer 3

Correct :) but, if the length of that third side is 7, is it still a triangle, or is it a straight line?

Answer 4

Isn't it still a triangle?

Answer 5

Try it... does it look like a triangle now?



Knowing that, which of these lengths is a possible length for the third leg?

8 cm

6 cm

9 cm

7 cm

Answer 6

Nope

Answer 7

So 7cm is the max possible length for the third leg, but once the third leg is 7cm, so it's not a triangle anymore. Only one of those answers now makes sense.

Answer 8

Okay so it would be 6cm?? since 8 and 9 are greater then 7?

Answer 9

Correct!

Answer 10

Haha yay! cool thanks :)

Answer 11

You're welcome! :)