Difference between revisions of "2000 AMC 10 Problems/Problem 10"

(Problem)
(Solution)
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==Solution==
 
==Solution==
  
The largest possible value for <math>x</math> is <math>9</math>. The smallest is <math>3</math>.
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From the triangle inequality, <math>2<x<10</math> and <math>2<y<10</math>. The smallest positive number not possible is 10-2, which is 8.
 
 
<math>9-3=6</math>.
 
 
 
<math>8</math> is the smallest that cannot be made (of the choices listed)
 
 
 
 
<math>\boxed{\text{D}}</math>
 
<math>\boxed{\text{D}}</math>
  

Revision as of 21:57, 8 January 2009

Problem

The sides of a triangle with positive area have lengths $4$, $6$, and $x$. The sides of a second triangle with positive area have lengths $4$, $6$, and $y$. What is the smallest positive number that is not a possible value of $|x-y|$?

$\mathrm{(A)}\ 2 \qquad\mathrm{(B)}\ 4 \qquad\mathrm{(C)}\ 6 \qquad\mathrm{(D)}\ 8 \qquad\mathrm{(E)}\ 10$

Solution

From the triangle inequality, $2<x<10$ and $2<y<10$. The smallest positive number not possible is 10-2, which is 8. $\boxed{\text{D}}$

See Also

2000 AMC 10 (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 9
Followed by
Problem 11
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions