Question

The four sides of an octagon that are vertical or horizontal are all one length, while the four slanted sides are 4 inches less. If the perimeter is 124 inches, how long are the shorter sides?

Answer 1

9514 1404 393

Answer:

13.5 in

Explanation:

Let s represent the length of a short side. Then a long side is (s+4). The perimeter is ...

P = 4s +4(s+4)

124 = 8s +16

15.5 = s +2 . . . . . . divide by 8

13.5 = s . . . . . . . . . subtract 2

The shorter sides are 13.5 inches long.