SOLUTION: a triangle has a perimeter of 31 inches. The smallest side is 4 less than the medium side. The biggest side is triple the medium side. What are the lengths of each side. What a

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Question 723040: a triangle has a perimeter of 31 inches. The smallest side is 4 less than the medium side. The biggest side is triple the medium side. What are the lengths of each side. What are the lengths of each side? How do I put this into an algebra equation to solve it?
Found 2 solutions by mananth, 119078:
Answer by mananth(16946) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let the medium length be x
smallest side = x-4
largest side = 3x
sum of all sides = 31
x+x-4+3x=31
5x=35
x=7
so you know the lengths now

Answer by 119078(26) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Draw the triangle and write down what you know
Longest side: 3m
medium: m
shortest: m-4
Perimeter: 31in
write it all out in a formula solving for m (medium)
31=3m+m+m-4
That's how to put it into an algebraic equation. Stop reading from here if you want to do it yourself. After doing it once by yourself go ahead and compare and check work.

combine like terms
31=5m-4
add 4 to each side
31=5m-4
+4 +4
35=5m
divide 5 on each side
35=5m
5 5
7=m
now plug in to each formula
Long: 3(5)
Middle: (5)
Short: (5)-4
Answers:
Longest:15in
Medium:5in
Smallest:1in