Question

The first side of a triangle is 4m shorter than the second side. The third side 3 times as long as the first side. The perimeter is 24m. Find the length of each side

Answer 1

1st side= 4m

2nd side= 8m

3rd side= 12m

Explanation:

Let the first, second and third side of the triangle be a, b and c meters respectively.

a= b -4 -----(1)

c= 3a -----(2)

Perimeter of triangle

= a +b +c

= 24

a +b +c= 24 -----(3)

From (1): b= a +4 -----(4)

Subst. (2) and (4) into (3):

a +(a +4) +3a= 24

3a +a +a +4= 24

5a +4= 24

5a= 24 -4

5a= 20

Divide both sides by 5:

a= 20 ÷5

a= 4

Substitute a= 4 into (4):

b= 4 +4

b= 8

Substitute a= 4 into (2):

c= 3(4)

c= 12

Thus, the lengths of the first, second, and third side of the triangle are 4m, 8m and 12m respectively.