Question

A, B, C, and D are points on a line, and the lengths of the line segments are: AB = 12, BC = 4, CD = 7, and DA = 15. Which of the following is a possible order for the points?


A.A,B,C,D


B. A,C,D,B


C. A,D,C,B


D. A,C,B,D•Math - Steve, Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 7:36pm
ACBD


•Math - Henry, Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 7:43pm
D. A,C,B,D.


•Math - mmv, Monday, June 22, 2015 at 3:57pm
A, B, C, and D are points on a line, and the lengths of the line segments are: AB = 12, BC = 4, CD = 7, and DA = 15. Which of the following is a possible order for the points?


A.A,B,C,D


B. A,C,D,B


C. A,D,C,B


D. A,C,B,D•Math - Steve, Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 7:36pm
ACBD


•Math - Henry, Tuesday, July 22, 2014 at 7:43pm
D. A,C,B,D.

Can someone please explain how they got this answer? Thanks.

Answer 1

AB = 12, BC = 4, CD = 7, and DA = 15
Start off my assuming that the largest number is the whole line. That might not be so, but it's a good place to start.

B must be to the right of C, since BC < CD

That means we have ACBD.
Check:
AC=8
CB=4
BD=3

You just have to play around a bit.