Question

A triangle has two sides of length 19 and 8. What is the smallest possible

whole-number length for the third side

Answer 1

12

Explanation:

in a triangle the sum of 2 sides must always be larger than the 3rd side.

our in other words, every side must be shorter than the sum of the other 2 sides.

or third side = x

19 < x + 8

therefore, 11 < x, x must be at least 12.

8 < x + 19 (that is true in any case)

x < 19 + 8 = 27

therefore, x cannot be longer than 26.