Question

The second side of a triangular deck is 3 feet longer than the shortest side and a third side that is 3 feet shorter than twice the length of the shortest side. if the perimeter of the deck is 68 feet, what are the lengths of the three sides?

Answer 1

The perimeter of a triangle is:

P = a + b + c

 

We are given that:

b = a + 3

c = 2 a – 3

 

Therefore:

68 = a + a + 3 + 2 a – 3

68 = 4 a

a = 17

 

and,

b = a + 3 = 20

c = 2a – 3 = 31