The Encyclopedia of Geometry (0042)


Problem

The sum of two sides of a triangle is greater than the third side, and the difference between the two sides is less than the third side.  


$$ $$

$$ $$

$\downarrow$ $\downarrow$ $\downarrow$ $\downarrow$ $\downarrow$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$


Solution

If we extend $BA$ to $D$, set $AD=AC$, and connect $D$ and $C$, we get

$$∠D=∠ACD,$$

$$∴ \ ∠DCB>∠D,$$

$$∴ \ BD>BC,$$

$$∴ \ AB+AC>BC.$$

Therefore, the sum of the two sides is greater than the third side.

From this, we also get

$$AB>|BC-AC|.$$

$ $

$ $
$ $

Reference

Teiichiro Sasabe (1976) The Encyclopedia of Geometry (2nd edition), Seikyo-Shinsha, p.12