The lengths of the four sides of a quadrilateral (in meters) are consecutive even integers. If the perimeter is 5252 meters, find the value of the longest of the four side lengths.

Answer
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Let the lengths of the four sides of the quadrilateral be represented as four consecutive even integers. We can denote them as:

  • \( x \): the first even integer
  • \( x + 2 \): the second even integer
  • \( x + 4 \): the third even integer
  • \( x + 6 \): the fourth even integer

The formula for the perimeter \( P \) of the quadrilateral is the sum of its side lengths:

\[ P = x + (x + 2) + (x + 4) + (x + 6) \]

Combining the terms gives:

\[ P = 4x + 12 \]

We are told that the perimeter is 5252 meters, so we can set up the equation:

\[ 4x + 12 = 5252 \]

To find \( x \), we first subtract 12 from both sides:

\[ 4x = 5252 - 12 \] \[ 4x = 5240 \]

Next, divide both sides by 4:

\[ x = \frac{5240}{4} = 1310 \]

Now we can determine the lengths of all four sides:

  • First side: \( x = 1310 \)
  • Second side: \( x + 2 = 1312 \)
  • Third side: \( x + 4 = 1314 \)
  • Fourth side: \( x + 6 = 1316 \)

The longest of these four side lengths is:

\[ \text{Longest side} = x + 6 = 1316 \text{ meters} \]

Therefore, the value of the longest of the four side lengths is \( \boxed{1316} \).