SOLUTION: The first side of a triangle measures 5 in. less than the second side, the third side is 3 in. more than the first side, and the perimeter is 17 in. How long is the third side?

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Question 194832: The first side of a triangle measures 5 in. less than the second side, the third side is 3 in. more than the first side, and the perimeter is 17 in. How long is the third side?

If s represents the length of the second side, which of the following represents the length of the third side?
s - 5
s - 2
s + 3

Found 2 solutions by jojo14344, KnightOwlTutor:
Answer by jojo14344(1512) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


If s represents the length of the second side, which of the following represents the length of the third side?
s - 5
s - 2, Answer
s + 3

Proof:
s%5B1%5D=s-5, 5 inches less than 2nd side
s%5B2%5D=s
s%5B3%5D=s-5%2Bhighlight%283%29=highlight%28s-2%29, 3 inches more than 1st side

Solving Perimeter:
P=s%5B1%5D%2Bs%5B2%5D%2Bs%5B3%5D
17=s-5%2Bs%2Bs-2
17=3s-7
17%2B7=3s ----> 24=3s ----> cross%2824%298%2Fcross%283%29=cross%283%29s%2Fcross%283%29
red%28s=8in%29, 2nd side
s-5=8-5=red%283in%29, 1st side
s-2=8-2=red%286in%29, 3rd side

Check,
17=3%2B8%2B6
17=17

Thank you,
Jojo

Answer by KnightOwlTutor(293) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Side 2=s
side 1=s-5
side 3=s-5+3=s-2
(s)+(s-5)+(s-2)=17
3s-7=17
add 7 to both sides
3s=24
divide both sides by 3
s=6
third side =6-2=4



The first side of a triangle measures 5 in. less than the second side, the third side is 3 in. more than the first side
second side of the triangle =s
first side of the triangle is =s-5
3rd side is =(s-5)+3=s-2