In triangle ABD

, AB
is 3 cm
long and BD
is 5 cm
long. According to the Triangle Inequality Theorem, which two lengths are possible lengths of AD
? (1 point)
Responses

10 cm
10 cm

1 cm
1 cm

4 cm
4 cm

7 cm
7 cm

2 cm

1 answer

The Triangle Inequality Theorem states that the sum of the lengths of any two sides of a triangle must be greater than the length of the third side. In triangle \(ABD\), we have sides \(AB\), \(BD\), and \(AD\).

Given:

  • \(AB = 3 , \text{cm}\)
  • \(BD = 5 , \text{cm}\)

Let \(AD = x , \text{cm}\). We must satisfy the following inequalities based on the Triangle Inequality Theorem:

  1. \(AB + BD > AD\): \[ 3 + 5 > x \implies 8 > x \implies x < 8 \]

  2. \(AB + AD > BD\): \[ 3 + x > 5 \implies x > 2 \]

  3. \(AD + BD > AB\): \[ x + 5 > 3 \implies x > -2 \quad \text{(always true since lengths are positive)} \]

Combining these inequalities, we have: \[ 2 < x < 8 \]

Possible lengths for \(AD\) must be greater than 2 cm and less than 8 cm.

From the given response options, the possible lengths of \(AD\) that fall between 2 cm and 8 cm are:

  • 4 cm
  • 7 cm

Thus, the two possible lengths for \(AD\) are 4 cm and 7 cm.