SOLUTION: One side of a triangle banner is 1 1/2 times longer than the second side and 2cm shorer than the third side. The perimeter of the triangle is 98cm. How long is the shortest side?

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Geometry -> SOLUTION: One side of a triangle banner is 1 1/2 times longer than the second side and 2cm shorer than the third side. The perimeter of the triangle is 98cm. How long is the shortest side?       Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


   



Question 1106553: One side of a triangle banner is 1 1/2 times longer than the second side and 2cm shorer than the third side. The perimeter of the triangle is 98cm. How long is the shortest side?

Found 2 solutions by Alan3354, greenestamps:
Answer by Alan3354(69443) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
One side of a triangle banner is 1 1/2 times longer than the second side and 2cm shorter than the third side. The perimeter of the triangle is 98cm. How long is the shortest side?
---------------
1 time longer = 2 times as long.
1 1/2 times longer = 2.5 times as long
---
s = 1st side length
2.5s = 2nd side length
s-2 = 3rd side
----------------
Add them.
The sum is 98 cm
Solve for s

Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Take note of the first thing the other tutor says in his response: "1 1/2 times longer" means 2 1/2 times as long....

Then he set up the problem incorrectly by misinterpreting the given information.

Here is the correct setup:

(1) "One side of a triangle banner is 1 1/2 times longer than the second side..." (i.e., 2.5 times as long)

Let s be the second side; then the first side is 2.5s.

(2) "...and 2 cm shorter than the third side"

The third side is 2cm longer than the first, so the length of the third side is 2.5s+2.

Then since the perimeter is 98cm,
%282.5s%29%2Bs%2B%282.5s%2B2%29+=+98

Solve for s....