Problema Solution
Two sides of a triangle have the same length. The third side measures 3m less than twice the common length. The perimeter of the triangle is 17m. What are the lengths of the three sides?
Answer provided by our tutors
let
a = b the two equal sides of the triangle
c = the third side
P = a + b + c = 17m is the perimeter
the third side measures 3m less than twice the common length
c = 2*a - 5
the perimeter is 17m and a = b we have
a + a + c = 17
2*a + c = 17
by solving the system of equations
2*a + c = 17
c = 2*a - 5
we find
a = b = 5.5 m
c = 6 m
The lengths of the sides are 5.5 m, 5.5 m and 6 m.