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Bunuel
If a polygon has n sides which of the following represents the number of distinct triangles that can be formed by joining a corner of the polygon to all other corners of the polygon?


A. n/3

B. (3n - 2)/5

C. n - 2

D. 5n - 2

E. 180(n - 2)

Easiest way is to choose a triangle and a square..

1) say it is a triangle so n =3 and triangle that can be formed is just 1
A is 3/3=1 and C is n-2=3-2=1
So two possible answer

2) now take n =4 that is a quadrilateral.
Number of triangles are 2
Check A and C
A. n/3=4/3...NO
C. n-2=4-2=2...yes

C

I'm not sure I understood this method. Why is it not possible to use combination formula? Nc3

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chetan2u
Bunuel
If a polygon has n sides which of the following represents the number of distinct triangles that can be formed by joining a corner of the polygon to all other corners of the polygon?


A. n/3

B. (3n - 2)/5

C. n - 2

D. 5n - 2

E. 180(n - 2)

Easiest way is to choose a triangle and a square..

1) say it is a triangle so n =3 and triangle that can be formed is just 1
A is 3/3=1 and C is n-2=3-2=1
So two possible answer

2) now take n =4 that is a quadrilateral.
Number of triangles are 2
Check A and C
A. n/3=4/3...NO
C. n-2=4-2=2...yes

C

I'm not sure I understood this method. Why is it not possible to use combination formula? Nc3

Posted from my mobile device

Hi
The combinations formula considers all the triangles that can be formed through joining all corners of the polygon, whereas question asks about the triangles formed though joining any one corner with the others.
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Can you please elaborate your solution? Shouldn't it then be pick any one (out of 4) and then 2 out of 3?

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Can you please elaborate your solution? Shouldn't it then be pick any one (out of 4) and then 2 out of 3?

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Refer the attachment. Triangle made by joining any one corner with the others.
Quadrilateral - 2 triangles
Pentagon - 3 triangles
Hexagon - 4 triangles
Hope it is clear.
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Untitled.png
Untitled.png [ 4.81 KiB | Viewed 2043 times ]

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Bunuel
If a polygon has n sides which of the following represents the number of distinct triangles that can be formed by joining a corner of the polygon to all other corners of the polygon?


A. n/3

B. (3n - 2)/5

C. n - 2

D. 5n - 2

E. 180(n - 2)

Asked: If a polygon has n sides which of the following represents the number of distinct triangles that can be formed by joining a corner of the polygon to all other corners of the polygon?

Number of corners = n
Number of triangles formed by joining a corner of the polygon to all other corners of the polygon = n-1

IMO C
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