Problema Solution
A triangle has a side of length x. The second side of the triangle is 2 inches longer than the first side. The third side is 4 inches longer than the first side. The square of the first side plus the square of the second side is equal to the square of the third side. What is the length of each side of the triangle? Use the 5-step method.
Answer provided by our tutors
First side = x
Second side = x + 2
Third side = x + 4
x^2 + (x+2)^2 = (x+4)^2 => x^2 + x^2 + 4x + 4 = x^2 + 8x + 16
=> x^2 -4x - 12 = 0 => x^2 - 6x + 2x - 12 = 0 => x(x-6) + 2(x-6) = 0
=> x = 6 since x = -2 not possible
second side = 8
third side = 10