Three points A, B and C are given on the straight line, with AB = 83 cm, AC = 97 cm. Find the length of the segment BC.

Three points A, B and C are given on the straight line, with AB = 83 cm, AC = 97 cm. Find the length of the segment BC. How many solutions does the problem have?

The problem can have two solutions depending on the location of points A, B and C relative to each other on a straight line.

Option 1.

If the points lie on a straight line in the sequence A, B and C, then the length of the segment BC is calculated as the difference between the segments AC – AB. Whence the length of the sought-for segment is BC = 97 – 83 = 14 cm.

Option 2.

If the points lie on a straight line in the sequence B, A and C, then the length of the segment BC is calculated as the sum of the segments AC + AB. Whence the length of the sought-for segment is BC = 97 + 83 = 180 cm.



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