document.write( "Question 981580: The lengths of the three sides of a triangle are in the ratio 4:5:7. The longest is 21 cm longer than the shortest side. What is the length of the shortest side? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #602553 by Boreal(15235)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! 4x:5x:21x are ratios, too.\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "We know that 21x-21cm=4x, because the longest side is 21 cm longer.\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "17x=21cm, by collecting terms and separating variable from constant.\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "x=(21/17); 4x=(84/17)cm SHORTEST SIDE, ANSWER.\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Check: The sides would be (84/17), (105/17), and (441/17) \n" ); document.write( "They can be made into mixed numbers, but these are acceptable. \n" ); document.write( "Longest side is (441/17)-(84/17) (shortest side)=(357/17)\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "(357/17)=21, all units cm. \n" ); document.write( " |