help me please (find lengths of sides of isosceles triangle)

[vinceman]

:twisted: :lol:

the perimeter of an isosceles triangle is 21 ft. if the base is 3 ft longer than one of the two equal sides, find the lengths of the three sides.

i have no idea how to start. if someone could help me get an equation that would really help me get started.

 

[Mrspi]

Re: help me please

:twisted: :lol:

the perimeter of an isosceles triangle is 21 ft. if the base is 3 ft longer than one of the two equal sides, find the lengths of the three sides.

i have no idea how to start. if someone could help me get an equation that would really help me get started.

Ok...the isoseles triangle has two sides which are equal.

Let x = length of one of the equal sides.
Then, x = length of the OTHER of the equal sides

And, x + 3 = length of the third side (the base, as stated in the problem).

The perimeter of a triangle is the sum of the lengths of the three sides. Our triangle has sides of lengths x, x, and x + 3. We know the perimeter is 21 ft. So,

x + x + (x + 3) = 21

Now, you take it from here!