Question

The perimeter of a triangle with two equal sides is 50 cm. If its base were lengthened by 3 cm and each leg were shortened by 4 cm, all three sides would be equal. Find the length of the base of the original triangle.

Answer 1

Base of the original triangle is 12 cm.

Explanation:

Let base of triangle be x

two equal legs of triangles by y

therefore perimeter of triangle

x+y+y = 50 or x+2y =50

according to the question

if base is x+3 and leg is y-4

then both are equal

that is x+3 = y-4

y-x = 7 or y =x+7

x+2y =50

x+2(x+7) = 50

x+2x +14 =50

3x +14 =50

3x = 50 -14

3x = 36

x = 12

therefore base of the original triangle is 12 cm