SOLUTION: A poster in the shape of a triangle has one side that is five inches more the length of the shortest side, and another side that is three inches less than twice the shortest side.

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Question 118542: A poster in the shape of a triangle has one side that is five inches more the length of the shortest side, and another side that is three inches less than twice the shortest side. Find the dimensions of the poster if its perimeter is 42 inches
Found 2 solutions by josmiceli, tutor_paul:
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x = shortest side
The sides are
x,x%2B5,2x-3
x+%2B+x%2B5+%2B+2x-3+=+42
4x+%2B+2+=+42
4x+=+40
x+=+10
The sides are
x+=+10inches
10%2B5+=+15inches
2%2A10-3+=+17inches
check
10+%2B+15+%2B+17+=+42
42+=+42
OK

Answer by tutor_paul(519) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x, y and z be the three sides. From the information given, you know:
Equation#1: y=x+5
Equation#2: z=2x-3
Equation#3: x+y+z=42
You have three equations and three unknowns. Anytime you have at least as many equations as you have unknowns, you can solve the problem!
Use substitution methods like this to do it:
First, substitute the expressions for x and y in Equations #1 and #2 into Equation #3. You get:
x%2Bx%2B5%2B2x-3=42
Solve for x:
4x%2B2=42
4x=40
highlight%28x=10%29
So you have one side... plug this value of x into Equations #1 and Equation #2, solve for y and z respectively, and you are done. I will leave that part to you.
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Good Luck,
tutor_paul@yahoo.com