Question

The sides of a triangle are represented by x, 3x, and 3x + 2. How do you find each side if the perimeter is 37?

Answer 1

5 , 15 and 17

Explanation:

The Perimeter of the triangle is the sum of all 3 sides.

If the sides were 3 , 4 and 5 then perimeter = 3+4+5 = 12

Here the sides are in algebraic form but the process is the same.

perimeter = x + 3x + 3x + 2 = 7x + 2

We are also given the perimeter = 37

To find x , solve : 7x + 2 = 37

Subtract 2 from both sides : 7x + 2 - 2 = 37 - 2

which leaves us with : 7x = 35

now divide both sides by 7

`rArr(cancel(7) x)/cancel(7)=35/7rArrx=5`

Thus the sides are x=5 , 3x = 15 and 3x + 2 = 17