math problem

Question

two sides of a triangle are equal in length. the length of the third side exceeds the length of one of the other sides by 3 inches. the perimeter of the triangle is 93 inches. find the length of each side of the triangle

Answer 1

Hi Heaven,

 

Have you drawn a figure?  That ALWAYS helps.

 

So you should have an isosceles triangle drawn, a triangle with 2 congruent sides.

 

If we let each of the sides that are equal in length be "X", then the perimeter will be

 

Perim = X + X + 3rd side = 93

 

But they tell us that the 3rd sie is larger than one of the other sides by 3 inches, so the 3rd side is given by

 

3rd side = X + 3

 

So now the perimeter is

 

X + X + X + 3 = 93

 

Solving this:  combine like terms on the left.

 

3X + 3 = 93

 

Subtract 3 from both sides

 

3X = 90

 

Divide both sides by 3,  and find that one of the equal sides measure 30 inches.

 

So the other equal side also measure 30 inches.

 

So the 3rd side = x + 3, so the non-equal side 33 inches.

Answer 2

x + x + x + 3 = 93

3x = 90

x = 30

 

Two sides are 30" and the 3rd is 33".