SOLUTION: Please help me to solve this word problem. (Solving Word Problems Involving Rational Algebraic Equation) One side of the triangle is 2cm longer than the second side.

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Question 495937: Please help me to solve this word problem. (Solving Word Problems Involving Rational Algebraic Equation)

One side of the triangle is 2cm longer than the second side. The third is 3/5 as long as the first side. If the perimeter of the triangle is 24cm, Find the lengths of the three sides.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
One side of the triangle is 2cm longer than the second side.
The third is 3/5 as long as the first side.
If the perimeter of the triangle is 24cm,
Find the lengths of the three sides.
:
Write an equation designating the three sides as a, b, c
:
"One side of the triangle is 2cm longer than the second side."
a = b+2
rearrange to get b in terms of a
b = a-2
:
"The third is 3/5 as long as the first side."
c = 3%2F5a
:
"If the perimeter of the triangle is 24cm,"
a + b + c = 24
Replace b and c, using the above equations
a + (a-2) + 3%2F5a = 24
a + a + 3%2F5a = 24 + 2
2a + 3%2F5a = 26
multiply by 5 to get rid of that annoying fraction, results
5(2a) + 3a = 5(26)
10a + 3a = 130
13a = 130
a = 10
then
b = 10 - 2
b = 8
and
c = 3%2F5(10)
c = 6
:
See if that adds up