Points C, D, and E are collinear. You are given CD = 18 and CE = 27. What is a possible measure of DE?

Answer 1

So there are two possible answers to this problem. If we imagine a horizontal line with a point C on it, we can either have D and E on opposite sides of C or the same side.

Opposite Side

If D and E are across C from each other, then to find the distance between them we just add their distances from C.

DE = DC + CE

DE = CD + CE

DE = 18 + 27

DE = 45

Same Side

If D and E are on the same side of C, then the distance between them is the magnitude (absolute value) of the difference in lengths.

DE = | DC - CE |

DE = | CD - CE |

DE = | 18 - 27 |

DE = | -9 |

DE = 9

Let me know if that makes sense and if you have any other questions shoot me a direct message!

-Ethan