Question

The perimeter of an isosceles triangle is 7x + 5y - 8 units, and the length of the base of the

triangle is x - y - 2 units. What is the length, in units, of each of the congruent sides of the
triangle?

Answer 1

`L = 3x + 3y - 3`

Explanation:

Given

`Perimeter = 7x + 5y - 8`

`Base = x - y - 2`

Required

Determine the length of the congruent sides

Since, the triangle is an isosceles triangle, the perimeter would be calculated using

`P = B + 2L`

Where P represents Perimeter and B represents Base

So:

`7x + 5y - 8 = x - y - 2 + 2L`

Solve for 2L

`2L = 7x + 5y - 8 -x + y + 2`

`2L = 7x -x + 5y + y- 8 + 2`

`2L = 6x + 6y- 6`

Divide through by 2

`L = 3x + 3y - 3`

Hence; The length (L) of the congruent sides is
`3x + 3y - 3`