Question

The perimeter of a triangle is 38 feet. One side of the triangle is 4 feet shorter than the second side. The third side is 6 feet longer than the second side. Find the length of each side.

Answer 1

First side, a = 8 ft.

Second side = 12 ft.

Third side, c = 18 ft.

Explanation:

Let the sides of the triangle be a, b and c respectively.

Given the following data;

Perimeter = 38ft

First side, a = b - 4

Third side, c = b + 4

The perimeter of a triangle is given by the addition of all its three (3) sides.

Mathematically, the perimeter of a triangle is given by the formula;

P = a + b + c

Substituting into the equation, we have;

38 = (b - 4) + b + (b + 6)

38 = 3b + 2

3b = 38 - 2

3b = 36

b = 36/3

b = 12ft

To find the first side, a;

a = b - 4

a = 12 - 4

a = 8ft.

To find the third side, c

c = b + 6

c = 12 + 6

c = 18 ft.