Question

A handyman wants to build a fence round a garden in the shape of a triangle. He plans to use a 6-ft-longpiece of fencing and a 7-ft-long piece of fencing. What could be the length of the third piece of fencing?

Answer 1

1 < x < 13

Explanation:

The longest leg of a triangle must be less than the sum of the shorter legs.

c < a + b

If the third piece is the longest leg, then:

x < 6 + 7

x < 13

If the 7-ft piece is the longest leg, then:

7 < 6 + x

x > 1

Therefore, the third leg is between 1 ft and 13 ft.