Question 574759: i have a non right angle triangle with sides of (x+4) (x+3) (x-1) i need to work out the value of x, how do i do this?
Answer by KMST(5328)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! If all you have is the measures of 3 sides, given as (x+4), (x+3), and (x-1), there is no single solution. Infinite values of x such that x>2 would give you a possible triangle, and only one of those x values would make it a right triangle.
The more usual problem gives you the measures of the three angles. If the measures of the three angles of a triangle, in degrees were (x+4), (x+3), and (x-1), knowing that they add up to 180 degrees, you would set up an equation and find x.
A more difficult and unusual problem would give you the measure of an angle, and the measures of the three sides as a function of x. That problem, while difficult, could be solved.
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