<PRE><B>Question 954270</B>
a,b,and c=sides of triangle
a=smallest side; b=26 feet;c=3a-12 feet; p=perimeter
p=a+b+c
82 feet=a+26feet+c Subtract 26 from each side.
56 feet=a+c Substitute for c.
56 feet=a+3a-12 feet Add 12 feet to each side.
68 feet=4a Divide each side by 4.
17 feet=a ANSWER 1: The shortest side is 17 feet.
c=3a-12 feet=3(17 feet)-12 feet=51 feet-12 feet=39 feet ANSWER 2: The longest side is 37 feet.
CHECK:
a+b+c=82 feet
17 ft+26 ft+39 ft=82 ft
82 ft=82 ft
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