SOLUTION: The perimeter of a triangle with 2 equal sides is 71 cm. if its base were lengthened by 6cm and each leg were shortened by 4cm, all 3 sides would be equal. Find the length of the b

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Question 534275: The perimeter of a triangle with 2 equal sides is 71 cm. if its base were lengthened by 6cm and each leg were shortened by 4cm, all 3 sides would be equal. Find the length of the base of the original triangle
Answer by oberobic(2304) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
2s + b = 71
b = 71-2s
.
s-4 = b+6
b = s-4-6
b = s-10
.
b=b
so
71-2s = s-10
71+10 = s+2s
3s = 81
s = 27
.
2s + b = 71
2*27 + b = 71
b = 71 -54
b = 17
.
Answer: The original triangle has sides = 27 and base = 17.
.
Check.
b+6 = 17+6 = 23
s-4 = 27-4 = 23
So that would make all sides equal.
.
Done.