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]x + y - 4.2 = 7.5[/tex]

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

Answer :

To solve this problem, we're dealing with an isosceles triangle that has a perimeter of 7.5 meters. In an isosceles triangle, two sides are equal in length. We're given that the shortest side, [tex]\( y \)[/tex], measures 2.1 meters.

Let's denote the other two equal sides as [tex]\( x \)[/tex].

Since the triangle is isosceles, the formula for the perimeter of the triangle is:

[tex]\[ \text{Perimeter} = y + 2x \][/tex]

We are provided with the perimeter as 7.5 meters and the shortest side [tex]\( y \)[/tex] as 2.1 meters. So, the equation becomes:

[tex]\[ 7.5 = 2.1 + 2x \][/tex]

Now, let's solve for [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:

1. Start with the equation:
[tex]\[ 7.5 = 2.1 + 2x \][/tex]

2. Subtract 2.1 from both sides of the equation to isolate the term with [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ 7.5 - 2.1 = 2x \][/tex]

3. Calculate the value on the left side:
[tex]\[ 5.4 = 2x \][/tex]

4. Divide both sides by 2 to solve for [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ x = \frac{5.4}{2} \][/tex]

5. Calculate [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ x = 2.7 \][/tex]

So, the equation that we used to find the value of [tex]\( x \)[/tex] is [tex]\( 2.1 + 2x = 7.5 \)[/tex].