document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=845243>Question 845243</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> A triangle has a perimeter of 48 feet. The second side is 5 feet longer than the first. The third side is 3 feet longer than the first. What is the length of each side? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #509194 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=pmesler><B>pmesler(52)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-08.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=pmesler><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=pmesler><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=509194\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Let's start off with the formula for the perimeter of a triangle.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "P = a + b + c, where a, b, and c are the lengths for the sides of the triangle.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Since we already given the perimeter in the problem, let's go ahead and substitute that into the equation.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "48 = a + b + c.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Now, we are told that the second side is 5 feet longer than the first. The third side is 3 feet longer than the first. \r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Let a= the first side. Then let b = second side = a+5. Then let c = the third side = a+3\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Now given these values, let's write out the equation again.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "48 = a + (a + 5) + (a + 3). \r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Now we simply solve for a. Once we find a, we will be able to find b and c.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "48 = a + (a + 5) + (a + 3). \r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Combine like terms to simplify.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "48 = 3a + 8\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Subtract 8 from both sides to isolate a.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "40 = 3a\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Divide both sides by 3.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "a  = 13.33 \r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Now, to find the other sides. We know that a = 13.33,<BR>\n" );
document.write( " that means b = 13.33 + 5 =  18.33 and c = 13.33 + 3 = 16.33<BR>\n" );
document.write( " <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Now let's add up all the values to see if they equal 48.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "13.33 + 18.33 + 16.33 = 47.99. When we round up it equals 48.  </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );