Atriangle has two sides of length 18 and 17. what is the smallest possible whole-number length for the third side?

a, b, c - sides of a triangle

a + b > c

a + c > b

b + c > a

We have a = 18 and b = 17. Substitute:

18 + 17 > c

35 > c → c < 35

18 + c > 17     subtract 18 from both sides

c > -1

17 + c > 18     subtract 17 from both sides

c > 1

c < 35 and c > -1 and c > 1.

Therefore  1 < c < 35

The smallest possible whole number length of third side is 2.

right

step-by-step explanation: