Q:

In two or more complete sentences, explain the theorem used in solving for the range of possible lengths of the third side, AB of triangle ABC

Accepted Solution

A:
You can use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of the third side AB (Identified as "x" in the figure attached in the problem), which says that in a right angled triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the legs:
 a² = b²+c²
 As we can see the figure, the triangle does not have an angle of 90°, but it can be divided into two equal parts, leaving two triangles with a right angle. We already have the values of the hypotenuse and a leg in triangle "A" , so we can find the value of the other leg:
 b = √(a²-c²) b = √(10²-4²) b = 9.16
 With these values, we can find the hypotenuse in the triangle "B": x = √b²+c² x = √(9.16)²+(4)² x = 10