The perimeter of a triangle is 48 inches and the sides are in the ratio of 3:4:5. How do you find the length of the longer?

Question

Eli Assouline · Accepted Answer

The length of the longest #=20" "#inches

For the given Perimeter #P=48# Let us assign a variable #x# so that we set up the equation like #3x+4x+5x=48# #12x=48# #x=48/12# #x=4# Note that the sides are as follows. #3x=3(4)=12# #4x=4(4)=16# #5x=5(4)=20# the longest is #20" "#inches May God bless you all. I hope this explanation helps.

Genesis Allen · Answer

Length of longer side is #20# inches

As the sides are in the ratio of #3:4:5#, let the sides be #3x#, #4x# and #5x#. Since the perimeter is 48 inches, #3x+4x+5x=48# or #12x=48# or #x=48/12=4# Hence three sides are #3xx4=12#, #4xx4=16# and #4xx5=20# Hence length of longer side is #20# inches

Jameson Allen · Answer

undefined To find the length of the longest side of the triangle, first, determine the scale factor by adding the parts of the ratio together (3 + 4 + 5 = 12). Then, divide the perimeter by the scale factor to find the length of one part. Finally, multiply the length of one part by the corresponding part in the ratio (5) to find the length of the longest side.

Longest side length = (Perimeter / Scale factor) * Ratio part
                   = (48 / 12) * 5
                   = 4 * 5
                   = 20 inches