Question

A triangular section of land is fenced off due to contamination. Two sides of the triangle are each 16 meters ( 16m) longer than the third side.
If 122m of fencing is used to enclose the area, what is the length of the shortest side, in meters?

Answer 1

Answer: the shortest side is 30m

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the shortest side be a meters

If side 2 is 16m longer than the shortest side, then it is (16+a)meters.

The same goes with side 3.

Then,

a + (16+a) + (16+a) = 122m

32 + 3a = 122m

Collecting like terms together,

3a = 122 - 32

3a = 90

Divide by coefficient of a

3a/3 = 90/3

a = 30 meters

Check:

30 + (16+30) + (16+30)

30 + 46 + 46 = 112

Answer 2

Answer:

Shortest side = 30 m long.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the shortest side be x meters long.

The other 2 sides are both  x + 16 m.

The perimeter is 122 m so

x + 2(x + 16) = 122

x + 2x + 32 = 122

3x = 122 - 32

3x =  90

x = 30 m.