Question

The perimeter of a triangle is 29 feet where one side of the triangle is twice the length of the shortest side. the largest side is 13 feet more than the shortest side. how long is the shortest side

Answer 1

x + 2x + (13 + x) = 29
3x + x + 13 = 29
4x = 29 - 13
4x = 16
x = 16/4
x = 4

The length of the shortest side is 4 ft

Answer 2

The shortest side is 4 feet.

Explanation:

The perimeter is the border of a geometric figure and corresponds to the sum of the length of all its sides.

So the perimeter in the case of a triangle is the sum of its three sides:

L₁ + L₂ + L₃ =Perimeter

In this case, the perimeter is known and it is necessary to calculate the value of the shortest side. In that case it will be called L₁. So, you know:

• L₁= shortest side
• L₂=twice the length of the shortest side → L₂=2*L₁
• L₃=largest side (13 feet more than the shortest side) → L₃=L₁ + 13
• Perimeter= 29 feet

Replacing:

L₁ + 2*L₁ + L₁ + 13= 29

Solving:

(1+2+1)*L₁ + 13= 29

4*L₁ + 13=29

4*L₁ = 29-13

4*L₁ =16

L₁= 16÷4

L₁=4

The shortest side is 4 feet.