2015 AMC 8 Problem 8

Attempt Problem 8 of the 2015 AMC 8 below, then check your answer against the video solution and professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2015 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

8.

What is the smallest whole number larger than the perimeter of any triangle with a side of length 5 5 and a side of length 19?19?
24 24
29 29
43 43
48 48
57 57
Answer: D
Concepts:triangle inequalityperimeter
Small hint:
Use the triangle inequality to bound the third side.
Big hint:
The perimeter can get arbitrarily close to twice 5+19,5+19, but not equal it.
Video solution:
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Written solution:
Let the third side length be s.s. The triangle inequality gives s<5+19=24,s<5+19=24, so the perimeter satisfies 5+19+s<48.5+19+s<48.
Perimeters can be made arbitrarily close to 4848 from below, so the smallest whole number larger than the perimeter of any such triangle is 48.48.
Thus, D is the correct answer.
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