QuestionThe perimeter of a triangle is 107 m . The second side is three times as long as the first side. The third side is 5 m shorter than than the second side. How long is each side.
Determine the length of each side of the triangle.
The first side is m
The second side is m.
The third side is m
Studdy Solution
STEP 1
What is this asking?
We need to find the lengths of the three sides of a triangle when we know the total length around the triangle and how the side lengths relate to each other.
Watch out!
Don't forget that the perimeter is the sum of *all* sides!
Also, make sure to clearly define what your variables represent to avoid confusion.
STEP 2
1. Set up variables and equations
2. Solve for the first side
3. Calculate other sides
STEP 3
Let's **define** our variables!
We'll call the length of the first side .
Since the second side is **three times** as long as the first side, we can represent its length as .
The third side is **5 m shorter** than the second side, so its length is .
STEP 4
Now, let's **build** our equation!
We know the **perimeter** is the sum of all the sides, and it's given as **107 m**.
So, we can write the equation: .
This equation says the sum of the lengths of the three sides equals the perimeter.
STEP 5
Let's **simplify** our equation!
Combining the terms, we get .
STEP 6
To **isolate** the term, we'll **add 5** to both sides of the equation: , which simplifies to .
We're adding 5 to both sides to make the left side simpler.
STEP 7
Now, we'll **divide** both sides by **7** to solve for : .
This gives us .
So, the length of the first side is **16 m**!
We divide by 7 to turn the into a single .
STEP 8
We know the second side is **three times** the length of the first side, so it's .
The second side is **48 m** long!
STEP 9
The third side is **5 m shorter** than the second side, so it's .
The third side is **43 m** long!
STEP 10
The lengths of the sides are: First side: **16 m** Second side: **48 m** Third side: **43 m**
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