Question

This isosceles triangle has two sides of equal length, a, that are longer than the length of the base, b. The perimeter of the triangle is 15.7 centimeters. The equation can be used to find the side lengths.

If one of the longer sides is 6.3 centimeters, what is the length of the base?

cm

Answer 1

b=3.1 cm

Explanation:

Both of the longer sides will be equal so you can set up the equation (6.3+6.3)+b=15.7. Simplified you get 12.6+b=15.7, subtracting 12.6 from both sides you get that b=3.1 cm. This can be checked because it is also shorter than 6.3 and works correctly in the perimeter.