document.write( "Question 620095: The sides of an equilateral triangle are given as x+3y,3x+2y-2 and 4x+1/2y+1 respectively.Find the lengths of the sides \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #389984 by math-vortex(648)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Hi, there--
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\n" ); document.write( "To solve this problem, we will use the definition of an equilateral triangle. By definition, all three sides are equal in length. Using this fact, we can generate several equations. (NOTE: I assumed that the third side of the triangle has 1/2 as a coefficient of the y-term. It was difficult to tell what you meant; please make sure that I am solving the problem using the correct values. If not, email me and I'll make corrections.)
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\n" ); document.write( "\"x%2B3y=3x%2B2y-2\"
\n" ); document.write( "and
\n" ); document.write( "\"4x%2B%281%2F2%29y%2B1=x%2B3y\"
\n" ); document.write( "and
\n" ); document.write( "\"4x%2B%281%2F2%29y%2B1=3x%2B2y-2\"
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\n" ); document.write( "Now we can use any two of the equations above to solve the problem. In essence, we want a value of x and y which are true for both equations. Let's use the first two equations. (It doesn't matter which two you choose.)
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\n" ); document.write( "Step I: Simplify the first equation into slope-intercept form (y=...). Subtract x from both sides.
\n" ); document.write( "\"x%2B3y=3x%2B2y-2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"3y=2x%2B2y-2\"
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\n" ); document.write( "Subtract 2y from both sides.
\n" ); document.write( "\"y=2x-2\"
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\n" ); document.write( "Step 2: Use the substitution Method to solve the system of equation. Substitute 2x-2 for y in the second equation.
\n" ); document.write( "\"4x%2B%281%2F2%29y%2B1=x%2B3y\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"4x%2B%281%2F2%29%282x-2%29%2B1%29=x%2B3%282x-2%29\"
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\n" ); document.write( "Simplify by combining like terms.
\n" ); document.write( "\"4x%2Bx-1%2B1=x%2B6x-6%29\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"5x=7x-6\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"2x=6\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"x=3\"
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\n" ); document.write( "Substitute 3 for x in the first equation.
\n" ); document.write( "\"x%2B3y=3x%2B2y-2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"3%2B3y=3%283%29%2B2y-2\"
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\n" ); document.write( "Simplify by combining like terms.
\n" ); document.write( "\"3%2B3y=9%2B2y-2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"y=4\"
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\n" ); document.write( "STEP III: Check your work.
\n" ); document.write( "We have x=3 and y=4 as a solution to the system of equations. Since we have an equilateral triangle, these values should yield sides of equal length.
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\n" ); document.write( "x+3y --> (3)+3(4)=3+12=15
\n" ); document.write( "3x+2y-2 --> 3(3)+2(4)-2=9+8-2=15
\n" ); document.write( "4x+(1/2)y+1 --> 4(3)+(1/2)(4)+1=12+2+1=15
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\n" ); document.write( "Check, check, check! The three sides of the triangle each have length of 15 units.
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\n" ); document.write( "Hope this helps. Feel free to email me if you have questions about this.
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\n" ); document.write( "Ms.Figgy
\n" ); document.write( "math.in.the.vortex@gmail.com
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