If the sides of a triangle have lengths x, y, and z, x + y =

Question

If the sides of a triangle have lengths x, y, and z, x + y = 30, and y + z = 20, then which of the following could be the perimeter of the triangle?

I. 28
II. 36
III. 42

A I only
B II only
C I and II only
D I and III only
E I, II, and III

Show Spoiler

OA is B.

I don't have the solution but this is how I think it is done. Pls verify the reasoning.

The question is basically asking us to determine the limits on x.

x + y = 30 ---- (1)
y + z = 20 ---- (2)
x - z = 10. This means y > 10 [Axiom : The third side is greater than the difference of the two sides.]

x + y = 30
y > 10
From this we get x < 20.
y + z = 20
x < 20
Adding we get x + y + z < 40 -----> I think this step is correct

From (2) we have y < 20. Since side z is non-negative. From (1) we have x > 10.
y + z = 20
x > 10
Adding we get x + y + z > 30 ------> I think this step is correct

Hence 30 < x + y + z < 40. Hence B

Show Answer

Official Answer

B

subhashghosh · Accepted Answer

(I) is out as x+y = 30 > 28 (perimeter can't be < sum of two sides)

And all answers excepy B contain I as option

So Answer - B

jamifahad · Answer

perimeter is x+y+z = ? Apply POE 1) Clearly, x+y=30 then how can x+y+z = 28?. OUT 2) x+y+z=36 x+2y+z=50 Subtracting, x+2y+z-(x+y+z) = 50-36, y=14 x+y=30 (given), hence x=16 y+z=20 (given) hence z=6 x+y+z => 16+14+6 = 36. Also, (14-6)<16<(14+6). Same can be tested for other sides as well. 3) x+y+z=42 x+2y+z=50 Subtracting, y=8 x+y=30 (given), hence x=22 y+z=20 (given) hence z=12 x+y+z => 22+8+12=42 BUT X(22) IS NOT LESS THAN SUM OF OTHER TWO SIDES (8+12=20). It doesn't satisfy triangle inequality theorem. Hence, OUT. OA. B

gmat1220 · Answer

Brilliant !!! I was assuming there will be a solution like this. Thanks so much :-D

There is one more thing - can you also verify the explanation in the spoiler ? Cheers

amit2k9 · Answer

This took me more than 2 min's though

Using POE since x+y = 30, means 1 can be nullified altogether. But a better approach will take a STAB at this, I am focusing on Z (min) and Z (max) values. x+y = 30, y+z = 20 means x-z = 10 Z(min) = 1, means X = 11 and Y = 19 thus Perimeter (Z min) = 31 Z(max) = 9, since Y >10, means Y = 11 and X = 19 thus Perimeter (Zmax) = 37. Thus B fits in. Likewise, one can try for either X(min) or Y (min) and max values too. Keeping the limits X<20,Z<30 and Y>10.

subhashghosh · Answer

@gmat1220, I think you're right. I also deduced x + y + z < 40 initially (by using the length of 3rd side < sum of two sides), and then I spotted the odd man out in the answer choices.

Nayimoni · Answer

The POE approach above works fast. The algebraic approach is:

First, establish the equation we are looking or x + y + z = ? and name it A

if we add both given equations we can get x + y + z + y = 50. Isolate A and you get A + y = 50

Now we know from triangle inequality theorem that x - z < y < x +z. We can get x - z by substracting both equation we are given and use the other for x + z. So we get 10 < y < 20 so:

so A = 50 - GT (10) so A = LT (40) 
 and A = 50 - LT (20) so A = GT (30)

30 < A < 40

Only II (36) meets this criteria.

I think you can solve under 2mn with this or even better by recognizing the trick subhashghosh explained.

Hope this is helpful.

madn800 · Answer

20------10-------10--------40-------N
19------11-------9---------39-------Y
18------12-------8---------38-------Y
17------13-------7---------37-------Y
16------14-------6---------36-------Y
 x-------y----------z------per.----triangle? 
15------15-------5---------35------Y
14------16-------4---------34------Y
13------17-------3---------33------N

Bunuel · Answer

Similar questions to practice: if-two-sides-of-a-triangle-have-lengths-2-and-5-which-of-th-163409.html sam-is-training-for-the-marathon-he-drove-12-miles-from-his-158375.html in-pqr-if-pq-x-qr-x-2-and-pr-y-which-of-the-110404.html if-3-and-8-are-the-lengths-of-two-sides-of-a-triangular-21008.html if-k-is-an-integer-and-2-k-7-for-how-many-different-135543.html what-is-the-perimeter-of-isosceles-triangle-mnp-134505.html is-the-perimeter-of-triangle-abc-greater-than-87112.html 12-easy-pieces-or-not-126366.html in-pqr-if-pq-x-qr-x-2-and-pr-y-which-of-the-110404.html devil-s-dozen-129312.html you-have-6-sticks-of-lengths-10-20-30-40-50-and-133667.html in-triangle-abc-if-ab-x-bc-y-and-ac-x-y-which-of-135495.html what-is-the-perimeter-of-isosceles-triangle-abc-34552.html in-triangle-abc-if-ab-x-bc-y-and-ac-x-y-which-of-135495.html For more check Triangles chapter of Math Book: math-triangles-87197.html Hope this helps.

WholeLottaLove · Answer

PS : What do you think we must guess. Or is there a more intuitive approach which guarantees the result in less than 2 mins?

If the sides of a triangle have lengths x, y, and z, x + y = 30, and y + z = 20, then which of the following could be the perimeter of the triangle?

As others have pointed out, we can rule out I.) because it indicates that all three sides add up to 28 when the question says that just two sides add up to 30.

x + y = 30
y + z = 20

x + z + 2y = 50
We can solve by ruling out answer choices, so let's say that we assume x + y + z = 36

x + z + 2y = 50
x + y + z = 36
__________________( - )
 y = 14

x + y = 30
x + (14) = 30
 x = 16

x + y = 30
(16) + y = 30
 y = 14

We don't even need to test III.) because it is always lumped in with I.) which we know is not possible.

B.)

I. 28
II. 36
III. 42

A I only
B II only
C I and II only
D I and III only
E I, II, and III

gmatprav · Answer

x+y=30 & y+z=20 so x+2y+z=50

x+y+z=50-y

If perimeter is 28 then y=50-28=22, and y+z=20 z cannot be negative. I is out.
If perimeter is 36 then y=50-36 = 14. z=6, x=16. no problem here.
If perimeter is 42 then y=50-42 =8. x=22, z=12. x cannot be greater than sum of y & z. III is out.

B is answer.

mvictor · Answer

my approach...
x+y=30, +z will be >30. so I is out right away. A, C, D, and E are eliminated. less than 30 seconds needed to figure it out. answer choices should be given more "confusing"...

pratistha29 · Answer

Q.Integer x represents the product of all integers between 1 and 25, inclusive.
The smallest prime factor of (x + 1) must be _____.

can somebody help me how to solve this question

Bunuel · Answer

This question is discussed here: integer-x-represents-the-product-of-all-integers-between-175907.html Please follow the rules when posting a question: rules-for-posting-please-read-this-before-posting-133935.html Thank you.

prashantrchawla · Answer

Remember the theory of the triangle, 
Side of the triangle will be greater than difference of the remaining two sides and less than sum of the two remaining sides. 
Let say in this case, X-Y<Z<X+Y. Looking at the answers easily we can eliminate one answer i.e. 28 which is anyway not following the first equation x + y = 30. The rest of the two options 36 is the correct answer.

My choice is B.

hatemnag · Answer

I guess the fastest and clearest approach here is to use the given choices 28 - 36 - 42. 
P of triangle = x+y+z
1 ) x+y+z=28 we are given that x+y=30 so first option is false since answer can not be negative

2 ) x+y+z=36 we are given that x+y=30 so 30+z=36 z=6 y= 14 x = 16 the third side must be less than sum of other two sides and more than the difference of the other two sides of the triangle. it could be P of the triangle like that:
z<x+y z>x-y and the same for x and y

3 ) x+y+z=42 if we try the same property above, we will find that it couldn't be P of the triangle.
So answer is D
if it helps, please press kudos for me.

BrentGMATPrepNow · Answer

First of all, the perimeter CANNOT equal 28
We know this because we're told that x + y = 30, which means the sum of two sides is 30
In order for the perimeter (x+y+z) to equal 28, side z would have to have length -2, which makes no sense. 
ELIMINATE A, C, D, and E

Answer: B

On test day, I wouldn't spend any more time on this question. 
However, let's keep going. . .

Next, we can show that the perimeter CANNOT equal 42
IMPORTANT RULE: If two sides of a triangle have lengths A and B, then . . . 
  DIFFERENCE between A and B < length of third side < SUM of A and B  
We're told that y + z = 20, which means the sum of sides y and z is 20
The above rule tells us that the third side (side x) must be LESS THAN 20
If x is less than 20, and y+z = 20, it's impossible for the perimeter (x+y+z) to equal 42

Finally, the perimeter (x+y+z) CAN equal 36
If x = 16 y = 14, and z = 6, then all of the conditions are met, AND the perimeter is 36

RELATED VIDEO FROM OUR COURSE
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf5GkSd_1nQ

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

If we add the two equations, we have x + 2y + z = 50. Subtracting x + y + z (i.e, the perimeter of the triangle) from this, we have y = 50 - (x + y + z). Now let’s check the numbers in the given Roman numerals.

I. 28

If the perimeter is 28, then y = 50 - 28 = 22. However, it’s not possible for y + z = 20 (since z would have to be -2). Therefore, 28 can’t be the perimeter.

II. 36

If the perimeter is 36, then y = 50 - 36 = 14. In this case, x + 14 = 30 → x = 16 and 14 + z = 20 → z = 6. So we have x = 16, y = 14 and z = 6. We can see that these 3 numbers can be the side lengths of a triangle.

III. 42

If the perimeter is 42, then y = 50 - 42 = 8. In this case, x + 8 = 30 → x = 22 and 8 + z = 20 → z = 12. So we have x = 22, y = 8 and z = 12. However, these 3 numbers can’t be the side lengths of a triangle since 8 + 12 is not greater than 22.

Answer: B

bumpbot · Answer

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If the sides of a triangle have lengths x, y, and z, x + y =

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