The perimeter of a triangle is 47 km. the first side is 5 km shorter than twice the second. the third side is 2 km longer than the first. find the length of each side.

1 answer

a = the first side

b = the second side

c = the third side

P = the perimeter

a = 2 b - 5

c = a + 2 = 2 b - 5 + 2 = 2 b - 3

P = a + b + c = 47

a + b + c = 47

2 b - 5 + b + 2 b - 3 = 47

5 b - 8 = 47 Add 8 to both sides

5 b - 8 + 8 = 47 + 8

5 b = 55 Divide both sides by 5

b = 11 km

a = 2 b - 5 = 2 * 11 - 5 = 22 - 5 = 17 km

c = a + 2 = 19 km

P = a + b + c = 17 + 11 + 19 = 47 km