SOLUTION: if the perimeter of an issosceles triangle is 22 ft. and the shorest side is 2ft less than the other two sides, find the lenght of the shorest side.

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: if the perimeter of an issosceles triangle is 22 ft. and the shorest side is 2ft less than the other two sides, find the lenght of the shorest side.      Log On


   

Question 343518: if the perimeter of an issosceles triangle is 22 ft. and the shorest side is 2ft less than the other two sides, find the lenght of the shorest side.
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
NEED TO KNOW:
ISOSCELES TRIANGLE HAS 2 SIDES THAT ARE EQUAL
LET X BE THE LENGTH OF THOSE TWO SIDES
THE QUESTIONS STATES THE FOLLOWING TO BE TRUE:
THE SHORTEST SIDE IS 2 FT LESS THAT OTHER TWO SIDES.
X-2 REPRESENTS THE SHORTEST SIDE.
PERIMETER IS THE TOTAL LENGTH OF ALL THREE SIDES
X%2BX%2B%28X-2%29+=+22
COMBINE:
3X-2=22
SOLVE:
ADD 2 TO BOTH SIDES OF THE EQUATION
3X=24
DIVIDE BOTH SIDES OF THE EQUATION BY 3
X=8
THE SHORTEST SIDE IS X-2=highlight%286%29
CHECK YOUR ANSWER 8+8+6=22