Problema Solution
The perimeter of a triangle with 2 equal sides is 42 cm. If its base were lengthened by 3 cm and each leg were shortened by 5 cm, all 3 sides would be equal. Find the length of the base the original triangle.
Answer provided by our tutors
Lengths of initial triangle
length of two equal sides = X each
Length of base = Y
Since perimeter is 42cm;
X+X+Y = 42
2X+Y = 42 ----(1)
It is given that when base is increased by 3cm and other two shortened by 5cm all lengths will become equal.
Base length of new triangle = Y+3
Length of equal length side = X-5 each
Since they are equal we can say;
X-5 = Y+3
X-Y = 8 ---(2)
(1)-(2)*2
3Y = 26
Y = 26/3
So the base length of original triangle is 26/3cm or 8.667cm.