Question 340933
a flag in the shape of an isosceles triangle has a base that is 3.5 inches shorter than either of the equal sides. If the perimeter of the triangle is 49 inches, what is the length of the equal sides?


let one of the 2 equal sides be A
the base is 3.5 inches shorter than either of the equal sides
the base is A - 3.5
A + A + (A - 3.5) = 49 inches = Perimeter P
3A - 3.5 = 49
3A = 52.5
A = 17.5 inches --> length of one of the 2 equal sides
base then is 17.5 - 3.5 = 14 inches