The first side of a triangle is 3 inches shorter than the second side, and 2 inches longer than the third side. How long is each side, if the triangle has a perimeter of 28 inches? Answer:

The first side = 9 inches

The second side=12 inches

The third side=7 inches

Step-by-step explanation:

Lets make expressions to represent each of the three sides of the triangle.

If we start with the second side and say its length is x inches, then the first side becomes (x-3) inches.

The third side is gotten by subtracting 2 inches from this first side. Then its expression becomes: (x-3) - 2 which can be simplified to x-5 inches.

The perimeter of a triangle is found by adding the lengths of the three sides of the triangle, thus, we add the three expressions and then equate the result to the numerical value of the perimeter.

x + (x-3) + x-5=28

3x-8=28

collecting like terms together we get:

3x=36

x=12 inches

Therefore, the first side (x-3) we substitute for x so 12-3=9

second side x is 12

the third side x-5 gives 12-5=7