<PRE><B>Question 22359</B>
Ok, you have a triangle and you need the perimeter, so first you must find the formula for finding perimeter of a triangle.  s+s+s=perimeter you know this is 42 inches. 
Let x = the first side        (the shortest side)
let x+5= the second side      (5 more than the shortest side)
let 2x-3= third side          (3 less than twice the shortest side)

x+x+5+2x-3=42

4x+2=42
4x=42-2
4x=40
x=10             your shortest side
x+5 =15              second side
2x-3= 17            third side


do you understand now?</PRE>