Question

The longest side of a triangle is 3 times the shortest side and the third side is 2 cm shorter than the longest side. If the perimeter of the triangle is at least 61 cm, find the minimum length of the shortest side.

Answer 1

Solution:
Let the minimum length of the shortest side be x.

Then the longest side of a triangle is 3x and the third side is 3x – 2.

Perimeter of the triangle ≥ 61

x + 3x + 3x – 2 ≥ 61

7x – 2 ≥ 61

7x ≥ 61 + 2

7x ≥ 63

x ≥ 9

Thus, 9 cm is the required minimum length of the shortest side.