Question

There are three points on a line: B, D, M, so that BD = 7 cm, MD = 16 cm. Find length of the segment BM . Give all possible answers.

Answer 1

BD + MD = BM

Since D is the midpoint of the line

BD + MD = BM

7 + 16 = BM

23 = BM

Answer 2

Answer with Step-by-step explanation:

There are two possible cases:

• Point M lies before point B

       Then, Length of MD=Length of BM+Length of BD

                        16=Length of BM+7

                     Length of BM=16-7

                    Length of BM=9

• Point M lies after point M

     Then, Length of BM=Length of MD+Length of BD

                    Length of BM=16+7

                    Length of BM=23

All possible values of length of line segment BM is:

9 and 23