Question 970101
a=short side; b=long side=3a+1in; P=perimeter=42 inches
P=2(a+b) Substitute for b.
42 inches=2(a+(3a+1in)
42 inches=2(4a+1in)
42 inches=8a+2in Subtract 2 inches from each side.
40 inches=8a Divide each side by 8.
5 inches=a
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ANSWER 1: The shorter side is 5 inches.
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b=3a+1in=3(5in)+1in=15in+1in=16 inches.
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ANSWER 2: The longer side is 16 inches.