SOLUTION: okay... welcome to my nightmear! The perimeter of a triangle is 33 centimeters. The first side is 5 cetimeters shorter than the second, and the third is twice the first. Find th

Algebra ->  Expressions-with-variables -> SOLUTION: okay... welcome to my nightmear! The perimeter of a triangle is 33 centimeters. The first side is 5 cetimeters shorter than the second, and the third is twice the first. Find th      Log On


   

Question 26213: okay... welcome to my nightmear!
The perimeter of a triangle is 33 centimeters. The first side is 5 cetimeters shorter than the second, and the third is twice the first. Find the lengths of the sides...
I have a hard new class that I just entered and I'm not caught up yet. I've gotten as much help as I could, and this problem is the basis of the rest of my homework so if I could get this answer than I could probably figure the rest out. If you could show me the steps of the problem so that I can follow it... I would be eternally greatfull!
thank you :-p
Answer by longjonsilver(2297) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
easy :-)

Let second side be x
then first is x-5
and third is 2(x-5)

perimeter is (x-5) + x + 2(x-5) = 33
--> x - 5 + x + 2x - 10 = 33
4x - 15 = 33
4x = 48
x = 48/4
x = 12cm

So, first side is 7cm
second is 12cm
third is 14cm

-->check: these 3 add to give? 33cm, the perimeter, so correct!

jon.