SOLUTION: If a triangle's three sides are 3/4x 1/x^2 5/x^2 Find an expression that represents its perimeter. Should it just be adding the three together or is there something more

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: If a triangle's three sides are 3/4x 1/x^2 5/x^2 Find an expression that represents its perimeter. Should it just be adding the three together or is there something more      Log On


   

Question 42082: If a triangle's three sides are
3/4x
1/x^2
5/x^2
Find an expression that represents its perimeter.
Should it just be adding the three together or is there something more I am missing. If I need to simplify is there a way to do it?
Thanks
Found 2 solutions by Earlsdon, tutorcecilia:
Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Sometimes math is simpler than it first appears.
Yes, you have it right, just add up the sides and then simplify the result.
P+=+3%2F4x+%2B+1%2Fx%5E2+%2B+5%2Fx%5E2
I am assuming that the first term is: 3%2F4x rather than %283%2F4%29x In future postings, it would be better if you used parentheses to clarify such terms, because 3/4x can be interpreted as either: 3%2F4x or %283%2F4%29x. The use of parentheses makes the distinction: 3/(4x) = 3%2F4x whereas: (3/4)x = %283%2F4%29x
Back to the problem!
P+=+3%2F4x+%2B+1%2Fx%5E2+%2B+5%2Fx%5E2 Simplify. Multiply the first term by x/x then add the terms.
P+=+3x%2F4x%5E2+%2B+1%2Fx%5E2+%2B+5%2Fx%5E2
P+=+%283x+%2B+1+%2B+5%29%2Fx%5E2
P+=+%283x%2B6%29%2Fx%5E2
P+=+3%28x%2B2%29%2Fx%5E2

Answer by tutorcecilia(2152) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Yes, just show the sides as being added together:
Perimeter of a triangle = Side A + Side B + Side C
Perimeter = 3/4x + 1/x^2 + 5/x^2
I don't think you need to simplify because the question is just asking for an expression.