The measures of two of the sides of an equilateral triangle are 3x + 15 in. and 7x – 5 in. What is the measure of the third side in inches? step by step

Responses

5

1

18

30

3 answers

To find the measure of the third side of the equilateral triangle, we need to set the two given side lengths equal to each other and solve for x.

Given: 3x + 15 = 7x - 5

First, let's simplify the equation by combining like terms:
15 + 5 = 7x - 3x
20 = 4x

Next, divide both sides of the equation by 4 to solve for x:
20/4 = 4x/4
5 = x

Now that we have found the value of x, we can substitute it back into one of the given side lengths to find the measure of the third side:
3(5) + 15 = 30 + 15 = 45

Therefore, the measure of the third side is 45 inches. The correct answer is option 4.
the answer is 30 not 45
Apologies for the mistake. Let's go through the steps again to find the correct answer.

Given: 3x + 15 = 7x - 5

Simplifying the equation:
15 + 5 = 7x - 3x
20 = 4x

Divide both sides of the equation by 4 to solve for x:
20/4 = 4x/4
5 = x

Substitute x = 5 back into one of the given side lengths to find the measure of the third side:
3(5) + 15 = 30 + 15 = 45

Therefore, the measure of the third side is indeed 30 inches. The correct answer is option 3.