To start, keep in mind that every isosceles triangle has two sides that are equal, and given that the equal sides are 4 less than the base, let the base be represented as the value of x and the two equal sides be represented by the expression x-4.
Then, since perimeter is the sum of all the sides, and you already know your perimeter is 62 cm, you can set up an equation that looks like this: x+(x-4)+(x-4)=62
Then, when you combine your like terms: 3x-8=62
Add -8 to both sides: 3x=70
And you get that the value of x or the base is 70/3.
Then, since you must find the lengths of the two equal sides, subtract 4 from 70/3 and you get that the two equal sides are 58/3 cm. Then, convert the improper fraction to a mixed fraction to get your answer as:
The lengths of the triangles are 23 1/3 by 19 1/3 by 19 1/3 cm
Because this is a second degree equation you will have 2 solutions. When you take the square root of a number you have to account for both the positive and negative roots. Since the square root of 289 is 17 then your solutions are +17 and -17.
