Question

The perimeter of a triangle is 74 inches. The two longer sides are equivalent and measure 1.5n+3. The shorter side measures 0.5n+1.5 What is the value of n

Answer 1

n = 135/7

Explanation:

2 x long side + short side = 75

substitute measures ⇒ 2(1.5n + 3) + (0.5n + 1.5) = 75

multiply out brackets ⇒ 3n + 6 + 0.5n + 1.5 = 75

gather like terms ⇒ 3n + 0.5 n + 6 + 1.5 = 75

combine like terms ⇒ 3.5n + 7.5 = 75

subtract 7.5 from both sides ⇒ 3.5n = 67.5

divide both sides by 3.5 ⇒ n = 135/7