In a certain isosceles triangle, the base is 1 1/2 times as long as each leg and the perimeter is 63. How long is the base?

Answer 1

An isosceles triangle has two sides of the same length. Let's call those sides 'Y.' We will call the base 'B.' The perimeter, 'P,' of a triangle is the sum of the lengths of all 3 sides.

P = Y + Y + B = 63

The base is 1.5 times as long as each leg.

B = 1.5Y

P = 63 = Y + Y + 1.5Y

63 = 3.5 Y

Divide each side by 3.5

Y = 18

B = 1.5Y = 1.5 x 18 = 27

check

63 = 18 + 18 + 27 = 63