Elementary Geometry for College Students (7th Edition)

Published by Cengage
ISBN 10: 978-1-337-61408-5
ISBN 13: 978-1-33761-408-5

Chapter 3 - Section 3.5 - Inequalities in a Triangle - Exercises - Page 174: 39

Answer

Use indirect logic.

Work Step by Step

Assume there is a triangle with a perimeter which is twice the length of its longest side. First, draw a straight line, which represents the longest side. The shortest distance between the two end points is a straight line. This would add up to be twice the length of the longest side. However, a triangle cannot be formed using this, for the two additional sides cannot directly connect the two end points of the initial line. Thus, we conclude that the perimeter of a triangle cannot be twice the length of its longest side.
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