Question

The longest side of a triangle is twice the length of the shortest side. The remaining side is 20 cm longer than the shortest side. The perimeter of the triangle is 132 cm. What is the length of each side?

Answer 1

The triangle has sides lengths 28, 56, 48

Explanation:

Let x = the shortest side

So then the longest side will be 2x, because the question said that "the longest side... is twice the length of the shortest side" Then the third side would be x + 20.

The perimeter was given so add all the sides and set it equal to 132.

x + 2x + x + 20 = 132

Combine like terms.

4x + 20 = 132

Subtract 20

4x = 112

Divide by 4.

x = 28

Then use x = 28 to find the lengths of all the sides.

Shortest Side:

x = 28

Longest Side:

2x

= 2(28)

= 56

Third Side:

x + 20

= 28 + 20

= 48