Question

The perimeter of the triangle is 51 inches. Find the length of the shortest side.

Answer 1

Note that:

• Sides of triangle: 4x + 11, x + 8, and 3x
• Perimeter: 51 inches
• 4x + 11 + x + 8 + 3x = 51

Finding the value of x:

• 4x + 11 + x + 8 + 3x = 51
• => 8x + 19 = 51
• => 8x = 51 - 19
• => 8x = 32
• => x = 4

Substituting the value of x to find out the side lengths of the triangle:

• 4x + 11, x + 8, and 3x
• => 4(4) + 11, (4) + 8, and 3(4)
• => 16 + 11, 12, and 12
• => 27, 12, 12

The smallest side length is 12.

Answer 2

12 inch is the smallest side.

Explanation:

4x + 11 + x + 8 + 3x = 51

8x + 19 = 51

8x = 32

x = 4

Find length's:

3(4) = 12 inch

x + 8 = 4 + 8 = 12 inch

4x + 11 = 4(4) + 11 = 27 inch