The length of the shortest side is 19.5 inches, the length of the longest side is 39 inches and the length of the third side is 38 inches. This can be determined by using the formula for the perimeter of a triangle (P = a + b + c) and setting up a system of equations. The equations would be:
P = 39 a + b + c = 39 a = (1/2)b c = b - 1
Substituting (1/2)b for a and b - 1 for c, we get:
39 = (1/2)b + b + (b - 1) 39 = 2b - 1 40 = 2b b = 20
Therefore, the length of the shortest side is (1/2)b = (1/2)20 = 10 inches, the length of the longest side is b = 20 inches and the length of the third side is b - 1 = 19 inches