To find the perimeter of a triangle, you need to add up the lengths of all three sides.
Given the lengths of the sides as 5 1/2 cm, 7 3/5 cm, and 3 1/4 cm respectively, we can add them together to find the perimeter.
5 1/2 cm + 7 3/5 cm + 3 1/4 cm
To add these mixed numbers, we first convert them to improper fractions:
5 1/2 cm = 11/2 cm
7 3/5 cm = 38/5 cm
3 1/4 cm = 13/4 cm
Now, we can add the fractions:
11/2 cm + 38/5 cm + 13/4 cm
To add fractions with different denominators, we need to find a common denominator. In this case, the least common multiple of 2, 5, and 4 is 20.
So, let's rewrite the fractions with a common denominator of 20:
11/2 cm = 110/20 cm
38/5 cm = 152/20 cm
13/4 cm = 65/20 cm
Now, we can add the fractions:
110/20 cm + 152/20 cm + 65/20 cm = 327/20 cm
Finally, we simplify the fraction:
327/20 cm = 16 7/20 cm
Therefore, the perimeter of the triangle is 16 7/20 cm.