Question

The perimeter of a triangle is 17 inches. The first side is twice the second. The third side is 3 inches less than the second side. Find the measure of the longest side.

Answer 1

Given:

Perimeter of a triangle = 17 inches

First side is twice the second.

Third side is 3 inches less than the second side.

To find:

The measure of the longest side.

Solution:

Let the second side be x. Then,

First side = 2x

Third side = x-3

We know that, perimeter of a triangle is the sum of all three sides of it.

`(2x)+x+(x-3)=17`

`4x-3=17`

`4x=17+3`

`4x=20`

Divide both sides by 4.

`x=5`

Now,

First side =
`2(5)=10` inches

Second side = 5 inches

Third side =
`5-3=2` inches

Therefore, the measure of the longest side is 10 inches.