Answer:
The smallest possible value for x is
![9\ units](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/t1qa1hrso4do6seoafdjf66lvq1y4t84fz.png)
Explanation:
we know that
The Triangle Inequality Theorem. states that the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle is greater than the length of the third side
so
![x+x>17\\2x>17\\x>8.5\ units](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/cplsnmh2uv2cmtwaefh8e4pz1d8mmkvhzx.png)
The value of x must be greater than
![8.5\ units](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/68hch6sdji11gd8q4pmkxzke5nci4tsan2.png)
so
If x must be a whole number
therefore
The smallest possible value for x is
![9\ units](https://img.qammunity.org/2020/formulas/mathematics/middle-school/t1qa1hrso4do6seoafdjf66lvq1y4t84fz.png)