The measures of two sides of a triangle are 5.2 and 8.1. Determine the range of values for the third side of the triangle.(1 point)

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1 answer

To determine the range of values for the third side of a triangle, we can use the triangle inequality theorem. This theorem states that for any triangle with sides \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\):

  1. \(a + b > c\)
  2. \(a + c > b\)
  3. \(b + c > a\)

In your case, let the two given sides be \(a = 5.2\) and \(b = 8.1\), and let \(c\) be the length of the third side.

We can apply the triangle inequality as follows:

  1. \(5.2 + 8.1 > c\) \[ 13.3 > c \quad \Rightarrow \quad c < 13.3 \]

  2. \(5.2 + c > 8.1\) \[ c > 8.1 - 5.2 \quad \Rightarrow \quad c > 2.9 \]

  3. \(8.1 + c > 5.2\) \[ c > 5.2 - 8.1 \quad \Rightarrow \quad c > -2.9 \] (This condition is always satisfied, as \(c\) is a positive length.)

Combining the relevant inequalities, we find: \[ 2.9 < c < 13.3 \]

Thus, the range of values for the third side \(n\) is: \[ \boxed{2.9 < n < 13.3} \]