SOLUTION: The legs of an isosceles triangle have lengths x + 1 and -x + 7 . The base has length 3x - 3. What is the length of the base?

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: The legs of an isosceles triangle have lengths x + 1 and -x + 7 . The base has length 3x - 3. What is the length of the base?      Log On


   

Question 922924: The legs of an isosceles triangle have lengths x + 1 and -x + 7 . The base has length 3x - 3. What is the length of the base?
Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

Isosceles Triangle:
Two equal sides.
Two equal angles.

given:
The legs lengths: x+%2B+1 and -x+%2B+7
since we have an isosceles triangle x+%2B+1=-x+%2B+7
solve x+%2B+1=-x+%2B+7 for x
x+%2B+x=-1+%2B+7
2x=6
x=6%2F2
x=3
now we can find the base
the base has length 3x+-+3 ...plug in x=3
3%2A3+-+3=9-3=6
so, the base has length 6

and the length of the legs are: x+%2B+1=3%2B1=4 and -x+%2B+7=-3%2B7=4