Points BC and D lie on one straight line. It is known that B D = 17cm DC = 25cm

Points BC and D lie on one straight line. It is known that B D = 17cm DC = 25cm What can be the length of the segment BC.

First case.

Suppose point D lies between B and C. In this case BC = BD + DC.

Let’s find what the segment BC is equal to.

17 + 25 = 42 centimeters.

Second case.

Suppose point B lies between D and C. In this case BC = DC – BD.

Find what the segment BC is equal to.

25 – 17 = 8 centimeters.

All other cases are excluded, since the DC segment is larger than the BD segment.

Answer: The length of the BC segment can be 42 centimeters or 8 centimeters.