Perimeter of triangle

Question

The perimeter of a triangle is 72 inches one side is twice the length of another. the third side is 36 inches what is the length of the shortest side

Answer 1

You know that the perimeter is the sum of all sides added together so side 1 + side 2 + side 3 =72

take what you are given: side 1 =36

you don't know side 2 so call it X side 2 =X

all you know of side 3 is that it is side 3 =2X

twice side 2 so call it 2X

therefore 36 +X + 2X =72

combine like terms so 36 + 3X = 72

subtract 36 from both sides so 3X = 36

Divide both sides by 3 so X=12 side 1 =36 Side 2 =12 ( because X=12) Side 3 = 24 (because 2x =24)

therefore your shortest side is 12

hope this helps