2015 AMC 12A Problems/Problem 2

Problem

Two of the three sides of a triangle are 20 and 15. Which of the following numbers is not a possible perimeter of the triangle?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 52\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 57\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 62\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 67\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 72$

Solution

Letting $x$ be the third side, then by the triangle inequality, $20-15 < x < 20+15$, or $5 < x < 35$. Therefore the perimeter must be greater than 40 but less than 70. 72 is not in this range, so $\boxed{\textbf{(E)} \, 72}$ is our answer.

See Also

2015 AMC 12A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 1
Followed by
Problem 3
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All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions