Question

The perimeter of a triangle is 51 cm. The lengths of its sides are x cm, x + 2 cm, and x + 4 cm. What is the length, in cm, of the longest side of the triangle

Answer 1

To find the longest side of the triangle, we solve for x by setting up the equation and simplifying it.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the length of the longest side of the triangle, we need to determine the value of x. The perimeter of a triangle is the sum of its side lengths. So, the equation becomes:

1. x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) = 51

Simplifying the equation gives:

1. 3x + 6 = 51

Subtracting 6 from both sides:

1. 3x = 45

And dividing both sides by 3:

1. x = 15

So, the lengths of the sides are 15 cm, 17 cm, and 19 cm. The longest side is 19 cm.