if PQ=21 cm and QR=5cm, then what are the possible lengths for PR so that line PQ, line QR, and line PR can form a triangle? explain your reasoning
PR must be less than 26cm as PQ + QR = 26cm
PR must be more than 16cm as PD- QR = 16cm
At both those limits the sides would lay on top of each other.
Let
x---------> the possible lengths for PR
we know that
The Triangle Inequality Theorem states that the sum of any 2 sides of a triangle must be greater than the measure of the third side
so
case 1)
\(x+5 >21\\ x >16\)cm
case 2)
\(x+21 > 5\\ x >-16\)cm
case 3)
\(21+5 > x\\ 26 > x\\ x < 26\)cm
so
\(16 < x < 26\)
therefore
the answer is
PR must be less than \(26\)cm and must be more than \(16\)cm