the perimeter of the shape below is 21x^2 - 5x + 4 find the length of the missing side

side 1 2x - 3
side 2 7x^2 + 3x + 2
side 3 2x - 3

1 answer

To find the length of the missing side of the shape, we can start by utilizing the formula for perimeter, which is the sum of all sides. Given the perimeter \( P \) and the lengths of the sides, we can represent this relationship as:

\[ P = \text{side 1} + \text{side 2} + \text{side 3} + \text{missing side} \]

From your information, we know:

  • Perimeter \( P = 21x^2 - 5x + 4 \)
  • Side 1 = \( 2x - 3 \)
  • Side 2 = \( 7x^2 + 3x + 2 \)
  • Side 3 = \( 2x - 3 \)
  • Let's denote the missing side as \( S \).

Now, substituting the sides into the perimeter equation, we have:

\[ 21x^2 - 5x + 4 = (2x - 3) + (7x^2 + 3x + 2) + (2x - 3) + S \]

Now, simplifying the right-hand side step by step:

  1. Combine like terms:
    • The constant terms: \( -3 + 2 - 3 = -4 \)
    • The linear terms: \( 2x + 3x + 2x = 7x \)
    • The quadratic terms remain the same: \( 7x^2 \)

So, the new equation becomes:

\[ 21x^2 - 5x + 4 = 7x^2 + 7x - 4 + S \]

  1. To isolate \( S \), we rearrange the equation:

\[ S = (21x^2 - 5x + 4) - (7x^2 + 7x - 4) \]

  1. Now, simplify the right-hand side:

    • Quadratic terms: \( 21x^2 - 7x^2 = 14x^2 \)
    • Linear terms: \( -5x - 7x = -12x \)
    • Constant terms: \( 4 + 4 = 8 \)

Putting it all together, we have:

\[ S = 14x^2 - 12x + 8 \]

Thus, the length of the missing side is:

\[ \boxed{14x^2 - 12x + 8} \]