Question

Two sides of a triangle have the same length. The third side measures 5 m less than twice the common length. The perimeter of the triangle is 23 m. What are the lengths of the three sides?

What is the length of the two sides that have the same length?

Answer 1

Length of all 3 sides: 7, 7, and 9

Length of the two sides that have the same length: 7

Explanation:

Let the two sides with equal lengths have a length of
`x`. We can write the third side as
`2x-5`.

The perimeter of a polygon is equal to the sum of all its sides. Since the perimeter of the triangle is 23 meters, we have the following equation:

`x+x+2x-5=23`

Combine like terms:

`4x-5=23`

Add 5 to both sides:

`4x=28`

Divide both sides by 4:

`x=(28)/(4)=\boxed{7}`

Therefore, the three sides of the triangle are 7, 7, and 9 and the length of the two sides that have the same length is 7.