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

Well based on the triangle inequality theorem....the sum of any 2 sides must be greater than the 3rd side...

so if we add 3 and 4 we know the 3rd side must be less than 7...so lets try your answer choice of 6 first

6 + 3 > 4 ? Yes
3 + 4 > 6 ? Yes
6 + 4 > 3 ? Yes

So it looks like 6 works

Answer 2

Ohh okay thanks! :)

Answer 3

No problem! :)