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 2a + b = 15.7 models this information. If one of the longer sides is 6.3 centimeters, which equation can be used to find the length of the base? 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 2a + b = 15.7 models this information. If one of the longer sides is 6.3 centimeters, which equation can be used to find the length of the base?

Answer 1

12.6 + b = 15.7

Explanation:

Answer 2

`12.6 + b = 15.7`

`b = 3.1`

Explanation:

Given

`Perimeter: 2a + b = 15.7`

`a = 6.3`

Required

Which equation models b

Substitute 6.3 for a

`2a + b = 15.7` becomes

`2 * 6.3 + b = 15.7`

`12.6 + b = 15.7`

Solve for b

`b = 15.7 - 12.6`

`b = 3.1`