The question is:
The perimeter of a triangle is 51 cm. The measure of the smallest side is 4 less than the middle side. The measure of the longest side is equal to one less than the sum of the other sides. Find the lengths of the sides.
2007-09-23 17:12:54 · 3 answers · asked by DoWHATiDO 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
You can make equations with 1 unknown:
Let m represent the length of the middle side:
The short side is: m - 4
The long side is: (m + m -4) - 1
The perimeter is: m + (m - 4) + (m + m - 4) - 1 = 51
Simplify: 2m - 4 + 2m - 4 - 1 = 51
Collect like terms:
4m = 51 + 9 = 60
m = 15
Proof:
Small side is: 11, Middle side is 15, Long side is: 11 + 15 -1.
Perimeter is: 11 + 15 + 25 = 51 which was given.
2007-09-23 17:31:37 · answer #1 · answered by Robert S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let x equal one of the sides. Doesn't matter which one, but let's use the smallest side.
So the three sides are x, x+4 and [x + (x+4)]-1. Together, they equal 51, so now you can solve for x, and use that value to find the length of the other two sides.
2007-09-24 00:24:50 · answer #2 · answered by historian 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sorry i cant help you... i suck at algebra but i just want to tell you to mka esure and show your work! good luck
2007-09-24 00:16:49 · answer #3 · answered by Wonderfun 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋