Question

The second side of a triangular deck is 6 feet longer than the shortest side, and the third side is 6 feet shorter than twice the length of the shortest side. If the perimeter of the deck is 72 feet, what are the length of the three sides?

Answer 1

let the shortest side be 'x' ft

length of second side = x + 6 ft

length of third side = 2(x+6) - 6 ft

perimeter of triangle = 72 feet

shortest side + second side + third side = 72 ft

x + x + 6 + 2(x+6) - 6 = 72

4x + 12 = 72

x = 15

length of shortest side = 15 ft

length of second side = 15 + 6 = 21 ft

length of third side = 2(15 + 6) - 6 = 36 ft