SOLUTION: A triangle has a perimeter of 161m. If the second side length is 5m longer than than the first side and the third side is 3m shorter than the first side, what are the three side le

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: A triangle has a perimeter of 161m. If the second side length is 5m longer than than the first side and the third side is 3m shorter than the first side, what are the three side le      Log On


   

Question 1118648: A triangle has a perimeter of 161m. If the second side length is 5m longer than than the first side and the third side is 3m shorter than the first side, what are the three side lengths? Include a labelled diagram.
Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Since the lengths of the second and third sides are defined in terms of the length of the first side, it makes sense to make the length of the first side our variable. Then

x = length of 1st side
x+5 = length of 2nd side
x-3 = length of 3rd side

Since the perimeter is 161,

x%2B%28x%2B5%29%2B%28x-3%29+=+161
3x%2B2+=+161
3x+=+159
x+=+53

The three side lengths are

x = 53
x+5 = 58
x-3 = 50