Question

The sides of a triangle are 7, 4, n. If n is an integer, state the largest and smallest possible values of n.

smallest value is-
largest value is-

Answer 1

11 > n > 4

Explanation:

Given any two sides of a triangle, we now that the sum of such sides MUST be greater than the measure of the remaining side. This is, given the three sides a, b and c, it must be that:

a + b > c

a + c > b

b + c > a

For our case:

7 + 4 > n (1) ---> 11>n

7 + n > 4 (2)

4 + n > 7 (3)

The 1 inequality says that the n side MUST be less than 11.

Now, pick the (3) inequality and subtract 4 in both sides:

4 + n -4 > 7 - 4

n > 3

So, the n side must be grater than 3.

Thus, the solution is:

11 > n > 3

As we are working with integers we now that the grater integer larger than 3 is 4, and the greater integer less than 11 is 10. So, the side must be equal or greater to 4 and equal or less than 10:

10 >= n >= 4