2006 AMC 10B Problems/Problem 10

Revision as of 21:25, 3 August 2006 by Xantos C. Guin (talk | contribs) (added category)

Problem

In a triangle with integer side lengths, one side is three times as long as a second side, and the length of the third side is 15. What is the greatest possible perimeter of the triangle?

$\mathrm{(A) \ } 43\qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } 44\qquad \mathrm{(C) \ } 45\qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } 46\qquad \mathrm{(E) \ } 47$

Solution

Let $x$ be the length of the first side.

The lengths of the sides are: $x$, $3x$, and $15$.

By the Triangle Inequality,

$3x < x + 15$

$2x < 15$

$x < \frac{15}{2}$

The largest integer satisfing this inequality is $7$.

So the largest perimeter is $7 + 3\cdot7 + 15 = 43 \Rightarrow A$

See Also