Answer:the length of each of the longest sides is 17 inches.
The length of the shortest side is 7 inches
Explanation:
Let x represent the length of one of the longest side of the isosceles triangle.
Let y represent the length of one of the longest side of the isosceles triangle.
In an isosceles triangle, 2 sides have equal length. Therefore, the the length if the two longest sides is 2x.
The isosceles triangle is shaped in such a way that its longer sides are 4 cm less than triple its shortest side. This means that the
x = 3y - 4
The formula for the perimeter of a triangle is the sum of the length of each side. If the entire triangle's perimeter is 41 cm, it means that
2x + y = 41 - - - - - - - - - - 1
Substituting x = 3y - 4 into equation 1, it becomes
2(3y - 4) + y = 41
6y - 8 + y = 41
6y + y = 41 + 8
7y = 49
y = 49/7 = 7
Substituting y = 7 into x = 3y - 4, it becomes
x = 3×7 - 4 = 17