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One side of a triangle measures 12 inches and another side measures 15 inches. What is a possible measurement of the third side?

a) 24 inches
b) 28 inches
c) 30 inches
d) 32 inches

User Tom Damon
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1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

None of the given options (24 inches, 28 inches, 30 inches, 32 inches) satisfy the Triangle Inequality Theorem for the third side of a triangle with the other two sides measuring 12 inches and 15 inches, thus none are possible measurements for the third side.

Step-by-step explanation:

The third side of a triangle must comply with the Triangle Inequality Theorem, which states that the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle must be greater than the length of the third side. With given side lengths of 12 inches and 15 inches, let's evaluate the possible measurement of the third side:

  • For option (a) 24 inches, 12 + 15 > 24 and 15 + 24 > 12, but 12 + 24 is not greater than 15, so this does not satisfy the Triangle Inequality Theorem.
  • For option (b) 28 inches, 12 + 15 is not greater than 28, so this fails the theorem.
  • For option (c) 30 inches, 12 + 15 is equal to 27 which is not greater than 30, thus failing the theorem.
  • For option (d) 32 inches, 12 + 15 is less than 32, which fails the theorem.

Therefore, none of the provided options are possible measurements for the third side of the triangle.

User Mariusz Nowak
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