SOLUTION: Hello, I am having a little trouble with this algebra problem. if someone could be kind enough to tell me how to go about solving it. I would be very grateful Dustin is desig

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Question 192336: Hello,
I am having a little trouble with this algebra problem. if someone could be kind enough to tell me how to go about solving it. I would be very grateful
Dustin is designing triangular pen for his angora rabbits named boo bop and flair hair. Now "Boo and Flair" will not settle for just any pen; it has to meet these specifications: The first side of the triangle must be 8 feet shorter than the second side. the third side must be 4 times as long as the first side. Find the length of each side of the triangle if the perimeter is 26.
Answer by nerdybill(7384) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The first side of the triangle must be 8 feet shorter than the second side. the third side must be 4 times as long as the first side. Find the length of each side of the triangle if the perimeter is 26.
.
Let x = length of second side
then because "first side of the triangle must be 8 feet shorter than the second side" we get
x-8 = length of first side
and from "third side must be 4 times as long as the first side" we get
3(x-8) = length of third side
.
And, because the perimeter is 26:
26 = x + x-8 + 3(x-8)
26 = x + x-8 + 3x - 24
26 = 5x - 32
58 = 5x
11.6 feet = x (second side)
.
First side:
x-8 = 11.6-8 = 3.6 feet (first side)
.
Third side:
3(x-8) = 3(11.6-8) = 3(3.6) = 10.8 feet (third side)