In a certain triangle, the longest side is 1 foot longer than the second longest side, and the second-longest side is 1 foot longer than the shortest side. If the perimeter is 21 feet, how many feet long is the shortest side?
x = shortest side
x + 1 = second-longest side {second-longest side is 1 ft longer than shortest side}
x + 2 = longest side {longest-side is 1 ft longer than second-longest side}
Perimeter is the distance around the outside of an object.
x + x + 1 + x + 2 = 21 {added up all sides and set equal to 21}
3x + 3 = 21 {combined like terms}
3x = 18 {subtracted 3 from each side}
x = 6 {divided each side by 3}
6 ft is the shortest side
- Algebra House
