Question

A triangle has a perimeter of 13. If it has

sides of x/2,( x – 5), and (x - 2) lengths,
then:
a) find the value of x
b)find the length of the longest side

Answer 1

`\stackrel{\textit{\LARGE sides}}{\cfrac{x}{2}+(x-5)+(x-2)~}~ = ~~13\implies \cfrac{x}{2}+2x-7=13 \\\\\\ \stackrel{\textit{multiplying both sides by }\stackrel{LCD}{2}}{2\left( \cfrac{x}{2}+2x-7 \right)=2(13)}\implies x+4x-14=26\implies 5x-14=26 \\\\\\ 5x=40\implies x=\cfrac{40}{5}\implies \boxed{x=8} \\\\[-0.35em] ~\dotfill\\\\ \cfrac{(8)}{2}\implies 4\hspace{5em}(8)-5\implies 3\hspace{5em}\underset{Longest}{(8)-2\implies 6}`