SOLUTION: One side of a triangle is 2 cm shorter than the base, x. The other side is 3 cm longer that the base. What lengths of the base will allow the perimeter of the triangle to be at le

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: One side of a triangle is 2 cm shorter than the base, x. The other side is 3 cm longer that the base. What lengths of the base will allow the perimeter of the triangle to be at le      Log On


   

Question 233608: One side of a triangle is 2 cm shorter than the base, x. The other side is 3 cm longer that the base. What lengths of the base will allow the perimeter of the triangle to be at least 46 cm?
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let the length of the base = x.
The shorter side is then x-2 while the longer side is x+3.
The sum of these three sides is to be at least 46 cm., so...
%28x-2%29%2B%28x%2B3%29%2Bx+%3E=+46 Combine like-terms on the left side.
3x%2B1+%3E=+46 Subtract 1 from both sides.
3x+%3E=+45 Divide both sides by 3.
highlight%28x+%3E=+15%29
The base should be at least 15cm. long.