Question

If the length of the segment AB is 5, and BC is 9, and CD is three, find the difference between the furthest and shortest possible distance of AD?

A: 12
B: 13
C: 14
D: 15
E: 16

Answer 1

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Answer:

E. 16

Explanation:

If the order of points on the line is ABCD, the distance between A and D is ...

AB +BC +CD = 5 + 9 + 3 = 17

If the order of points on the line is BADC, the distance between A and D is ...

BC -BA -DC = 9 -5 -3 = 1

Then the difference between the longest and shortest possible distances AD is ...

17 - 1 = 16 . . . . matches choice E