Question

The perimeter of a triangle is 17x-5 units. One side is 3.x + 5 units and another is 8x-3 units. How many units long is the third side?

Answer 1

C = 6x - 7 units

Explanation:

Let the three sides of the triangle = A, B, and C respectively.

Given the following data;

Perimeter of triangle, P = 17x-5 units

Side A = 3x+5 units

Side B = 8x-3 units

To find side C?

The perimeter of a triangle is given by the addition of all its three (3) sides.

Mathematically, the perimeter of a triangle is given by the formula;

P = A + B + C

Making "C" the subject of formula, we have;

C = P - A - B

Substituting into the equation, we have

C = 17x - 5 - (3x + 5) - (8x - 3)

C = 17x - 5 - 3x - 5 - 8x + 3

Collecting the like terms, we have;

C = 17x - 3x - 8x - 5 - 5 + 3

C = 6x - 7 units

Therefore, the third side is 6x - 7 units long.