document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=190483>Question 190483</A>This question is from textbook <A HREF=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0321233832/algebrahomeworkh></A><BR>\n" );
document.write( ": <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Mel's nephew owns a triangular plot of land. The perimeter fence that surrounds the land measures 121 feet. The shortest side is 15 feet longer than one-half of the longest side. The second longest side is 4 feet shorter than the longest side.  What is the length of each side? Express the given information as an algebraic equation and then solve the equation. You must name the variable used in the equation. <BR>\n" );
document.write( "  Thank You! </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #142945 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=solver91311><B>solver91311(24713)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=solver91311><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=solver91311><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=142945\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <font face=\"Garamond\" size=\"+2\">\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Let <b><i>x</i></b> represent the measure of the longest side.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Then <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=\"/cgi-bin/rendertex.cgi?\LARGE {x \over 2}+15\"> must be the measure of the shortest side.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "And <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=\"/cgi-bin/rendertex.cgi?\LARGE  x - 4\"> must be the measure of the third side.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Since the perimeter is defined as the sum of the measures of the sides, we can write:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=\"/cgi-bin/rendertex.cgi?\LARGE \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \  x + {x \over 2} + 15 + x - 4 = 121\">\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Multiply the whole thing by 2 to get rid of that pesky denominator:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=\"/cgi-bin/rendertex.cgi?\LARGE \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \  2x + x + 30 + 2x - 8 = 242\">\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Collect like terms:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=\"/cgi-bin/rendertex.cgi?\LARGE \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \  2x + x  + 2x  = 242 - 30 + 8\">\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=\"/cgi-bin/rendertex.cgi?\LARGE \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \  5x = 220\">\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=\"/cgi-bin/rendertex.cgi?\LARGE \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \  x = 44\">\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "So the longest side is 44 feet.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The shortest side is <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=\"/cgi-bin/rendertex.cgi?\LARGE {44 \over 2} + 15 = 37\"> feet.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "And the third side is 44 - 4 = 40 feet.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Check the answer:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "44 + 37 + 40 = 121\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Answer checks.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "John<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=\"/cgi-bin/rendertex.cgi?\LARGE e^{i\pi} + 1 = 0\"><BR>\n" );
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