The lengths of three sides of a triangle are consecutive integers.

Question

The lengths of three sides of a triangle are consecutive integers.

a) write a simplified polynomial expression to describe the perimeter of the triangle.

b) If the perimeter is 27 cm, determine the lengths of the three sides.

Answer 1

27/3 = 9

the sides are 8,9 and 10 cm

or

x-1 = 1st integer, x = 2nd, x+1 = 3rd

add them to get 3x = 27

x=27/3 = 9 cm

add and subtract 1 to get the other 2 sides: 9-1 =8, 9+1=10