An isosceles triangle has legs that measure each (2x3 - 4x2 - 1). If the perimeter of the triangle is (9x3 + 2x2 - 7x - 5), find the length of the missing side.

Answer 1

The perimeter is the sum of the side lengths.

P = M+ 2L where M is the missing side and L is one of the legs (the two legs are equal).

9x³+2x²-7x-5 = M + 2(2x³-4x²-1)

M = 9x³+2x²-7x-5-2(2x³-8x²-1)

At this point distribute the -2 over the trinomial, then combine similar terms to get a final expression for the length of the missing side.