SOLUTION: A sailboat sail in the shape of an isosceles triangle has a base that is 9 feet longer that either of the equal sides. If the perimeter of the sail is 21 feet, then what is the len

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Question 148971: A sailboat sail in the shape of an isosceles triangle has a base that is 9 feet longer that either of the equal sides. If the perimeter of the sail is 21 feet, then what is the length of the base of the sail?
Found 2 solutions by mangopeeler07, stanbon:
Answer by mangopeeler07(462) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
equal sides: x
base: x+9

2x+x+9=21

Combine like terms
3x+9=21

Subtract 9
3x=12

Divide by 3
x=4

plug that into:
base=x+9
base=4+9
base=13

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A sailboat sail in the shape of an isosceles triangle has a base that is 9 feet longer that either of the equal sides. If the perimeter of the sail is 21 feet, then what is the length of the base of the sail?
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Let the equal side length be "x" ft.
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EQUATIO:
x +x + x + 9 = 21
3x = 12
x = 4 ft (length of one of the equal sides)
x+9 = 13 (length of the base)
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Cheers,
Stan H.