SOLUTION: The perimeter of a triangle with 2 equal sides is 46m. If its base was lengthened by 4 cm and each leg was shortened by 7 cm, all 3 sides would be equal. Find the length of the bas

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Question 624865: The perimeter of a triangle with 2 equal sides is 46m. If its base was lengthened by 4 cm and each leg was shortened by 7 cm, all 3 sides would be equal. Find the length of the base of the original triangle.
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I'll call the sides +b+ for base, +s+ for the other 2 sides
given:
(1) +b+%2B+2s+=+46+
(2) +b+%2B+4%2F100+=+s+%2B+7%2F100+ ( note that +s+%2B+7%2F100+ is 1 of the sides )
-------------------
(2) +b+-+s+=+7%2F100+-+4%2F100+
(2) +b+-+s+=+3%2F100+
Subtract (2) from (1)
(1) +b+%2B+2s+=+46+
(2) +-b+%2B+s+=+-3%2F100+
+3s+=+45.97+
+s+=+15.32333+
and
(2) +b+-+s+=+3%2F100+
(2) +b+=+15.32333+%2B+3%2F100+
(2) +b+=+15.35333+
---------------
The base of the original triangle is 15.35333 m
check:
(1) +15.35333+%2B+2%2A15.32333+=+46+
(2) +15.35333+%2B+30.64666+=+46+
(2) +46+=+46+
and
(2) +b+%2B+4%2F100+=+s+%2B+7%2F100+
(2) +b+%2B+.04+=+s+%2B+.07+
(2) +15.35333+%2B+.04+=+15.32333+%2B+.07+
(2) +15.39333+=+15.39333+
OK