Question

Li went for a mountain bike ride in a relatively flat wooded area. She rode for 6 km in one direction and then turned and pedaled 16 kn in another direction. Finally she turned in the direction of her starting point and rode 8 km. When she stopped, was it possible that Li was back at her starting point ? Please explain

Answer 1

Its not necessary that it'll be a right angled triangle @meshlogic . For example , it can also be something like :

The main objective of the question is to ask whether a triangle is possible with the sides 6,16 and 8.

Answer 2

Just check the basic property for a triangle to be possible.
Is a+b>c for the three sides a,b, and c.
Are you following @Shay17 ?

Answer 3

so far yes

Answer 4

All triangles equal 180 degrees. If you want to know if this equals 180 degrees, all you have to do is square each one of them and add. If it does not equal 180 degrees, then it is NOT a right triangle.

Answer 5

I'm confused. How does this tell me if Li was back at her starting point ?

Answer 6

If she was

Answer 7

which ones are a, b and c ?

Answer 8

for a+b>c

Answer 9

I am not familiar with that angle concept.
Just check that if sum of two sides is always greater than the third side. If the above is true, then yes, she can return back to the starting point. Else not.

Answer 10

Ok I understand that part

Answer 11

So if i do 8+6 i get 14 which isn't greater than 16 so that means she didn't get back to her starting point right ?

Answer 12

That is correct.

Answer 13

Ok thanks so much :)

Answer 14

Glad to help ^^