Three points ABC lie on one straight line, AB = 6cm, BC = 10cm. What can be the distance AC.

Since the segments are given by AB and BC, the point B is common for the segments.

There are two options for the location of points on a straight line.

In the first case, point B lies between points A and C, then the segment AC = AB + BC = 6 + 10 = 16 cm.

In the second case, point A, since the segment AB is less than BC, lies between points C and B, then the segment AB = BC – AB = 10 – 6 = 4 cm.

Answer: The distance of the speaker can be 6 cm or 10 cm.