Question

If I found 52 feet of board and build a triangual garden using all of the board. If the largest side is 4 more than 4 times the smallest and the other side 3 times the smallest, how long will each side be?

Answer 1

let the smallest side be s

s + 4s+4 + 3s = 52
8s + 4 = 52
8s = 48
s = 6

so, the sides are 6,18,28

Answer 2

but....

sides of 6, 18, and 28 cannot be a triangle.

The sum of any two sides must be greater than the third side,
Problem is flawed even though an algebraic solution is possible.

Answer 3

ouch. I thought I'd checked that. Good catch.