Please help! The perimeter of a triangle is 39 inches. If the length of the shortest side is 1/2 the length of the longest side, and the length of the third side is 1 less the length of the longest side, what is the length of each side?
If x is the shortest side and y is the longest side, one equation is...?

Question

Please help! The perimeter of a triangle is 39 inches. If the length of the shortest side is 1/2 the length of the longest side, and the length of the third side is 1 less the length of the longest side, what is the length of each side? 
If x is the shortest side and y is the longest side, one equation is...?

anonymous · Answer

Here are all of the equations you can get. Let us set x as the short side, y as the longest side, and z as the third side.

1. x + y + z = 39
2. x = 1/2 y 
3. z = y - 1

anonymous · Answer

From these three equations, you should be able to find the equation.

anonymous · Answer

ok so take the longest side to be $$x.$$
The shortest side will be $$1/2(x)$$
The 3rd side will be$$ x-1$$
$$So x+1/2x+(x-1)=39 inches$$

anonymous · Answer

Thanks guys! Wish I could give more than one medal :(

anonymous · Answer

No problem.