SOLUTION: I am really confused about this problem and have no idea how to start it. Here it is: The lengths of the sides of a triangle are consecutive odd integers. The perimeter is 195. Fi

Algebra ->  Linear-equations -> SOLUTION: I am really confused about this problem and have no idea how to start it. Here it is: The lengths of the sides of a triangle are consecutive odd integers. The perimeter is 195. Fi      Log On


   

Question 213109: I am really confused about this problem and have no idea how to start it.
Here it is: The lengths of the sides of a triangle are consecutive odd integers. The perimeter is 195. Find the length of each side.
Found 3 solutions by nerdybill, drj, Alan3354:
Answer by nerdybill(7384) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The lengths of the sides of a triangle are consecutive odd integers. The perimeter is 195. Find the length of each side.
.
Let x = first odd side
then
x+2 = second side
x+4 = third side
.
x + x+2 + x+4 = 195
3x + 6 = 195
3x = 189
x = 63
.
answer: 63, 65, and 67

Answer by drj(1380) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I am really confused about this problem and have no idea how to start it.
Here it is: The lengths of the sides of a triangle are consecutive odd integers. The perimeter is 195. Find the length of each side.

Step 1. Perimeter means adding up all the sides. In this case, we are adding three sides of the triangle. Let P be the perimeter and equal to 195.

Step 2. Let n be one odd integer, n+2 be the next odd integer, and n+4 be the third odd integer.

Step 3. Using Steps 1 and 2, we have

P=n%2Bn%2B2%2Bn%2B4=195

Step 4. Now let's solve the above equation

n%2Bn%2B2%2Bn%2B4=195

3n%2B6=195

Step 5. Subtract -6 from both sides of equation to isolate 3n.

3n%2B6-6=195-6

3n=189

Step 6. Divide 3 from both sides of equation to isolate n.

3n%2F3=189%2F3

n=63

n%2B2=65

n%2B4=67

Step 7. ANSWER: The integers are 63, 65 and 67.

Let's check if these integers add up to 195=63+65+67. And it does.


I hope the above steps were helpful.

For FREE Step-By-Step videos in Introduction to Algebra, please visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/IntroAlgebra and for Trigonometry visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/Trigonometry.

Good luck in your studies!

Respectfully,
Dr J




Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The fact that it's a triangle is not relevant. You're asked to find 3 consecutive odd integers that total 195.
-----------
Do it the easy way:
195/3 = 65.
65 is the middle number, so it's
63, 65 and 67.