College

The isosceles triangle has a perimeter of 7.5 m. Which equation can be used to find the value of [tex]x[/tex] if the shortest side, [tex]y[/tex], measures 2.1 m?

A. [tex]2x - 2.1 = 7.5[/tex]

B. [tex]4.2 + y = 7.5[/tex]

C. [tex]y - 4.2 = 7.5[/tex]

D. [tex]2.1 + 2x = 7.5[/tex]

Answer :

To find the equation that can be used to determine the value of [tex]\( x \)[/tex] for the isosceles triangle:

1. Understand the structure of the triangle: An isosceles triangle has two equal sides and one different side. Here, we are given a shortest side [tex]\( y \)[/tex] which measures 2.1 meters.

2. Understand the given information:
- The perimeter of the triangle is 7.5 meters.
- The shortest side [tex]\( y \)[/tex] is 2.1 meters.

3. Formulate the perimeter equation:
- In an isosceles triangle, if the two equal sides are [tex]\( x \)[/tex], the perimeter can be expressed as:
[tex]\[
\text{Perimeter} = x + x + y = 2x + y
\][/tex]

4. Substitute the known values into the equation:
- Substitute the perimeter (7.5 meters) and the shortest side [tex]\( y \)[/tex] (2.1 meters) into the perimeter expression:
[tex]\[
7.5 = 2x + 2.1
\][/tex]

5. Identify the equation:
- This equation rearranges to [tex]\( 2.1 + 2x = 7.5 \)[/tex].

So, the correct equation to find the value of [tex]\( x \)[/tex] is:
[tex]\[
2.1 + 2x = 7.5
\][/tex]