a flag in the shape of an isosceles triangle has a base that is 3.5 inches shorter than either of the equal sides. If the perimeter of the triangle is 49 inches, what is the length of the equal sides?
2006-08-28 11:47:01 · 6 answers · asked by laurali_love 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
If x is the length of one of the equal sides then the length of the base is x - 3.5, so:
x + x + x - 3.5 = 49
3x - 3.5 = 49
3x = 49 + 3.5
3x = 52.5
x = 52.5/3
x = 17.5 inches
2006-08-28 11:51:49 · answer #1 · answered by Dimos F 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To answer your question, let's remember that an isosceles triangle has two sides that are the same length and a base. Therefore, we can say that our perimeter would look like this:
P= 2x + b
where x is the length of a side and b is the length of the base.
With that knowledge we can set up the following equation with our given information. We can also substitute b with (x-3.5) because the problem tells us that b is 3.5 inches shorter than the length of an equal side (x).
P= 2x + (x-3.5)
Furthermore, the problem gives us the value of P which is 49 inches. So we get the following:
49 = 2x + (x-3.5)
Let's solve for x.
49 = 2x + x - 3.5
52.5 = 3x
52.5/3 = x
Remember, x is the length of one of the equal sides. So, the length of one equal side is 17.5 inches.
Hope this helps.
2006-08-28 11:57:18 · answer #2 · answered by H M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isosceles Triangle Problem
2016-12-18 08:36:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the equal sides are x in. then the base is (x - 3.5) in. and the perimeter is x + x + (x - 3.5) = 49, i.e. 3x - 3.5 = 49, so 3x = 52.5, and thus x = 17.5. So the equal sides have length 17.5 in.
2006-08-28 11:55:09 · answer #4 · answered by grsym 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3x-3.5=49
3x = 52.5
x =17.5
17.5, 17.5, 14
2006-08-28 11:57:27 · answer #5 · answered by bob h 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do you do all your homework like this?
2006-08-28 11:49:13 · answer #6 · answered by blahkh 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋