# Perimeter, Probability, and solving an expression

• January 26th 2008, 09:50 AM
Power
Perimeter, Probability, and solving an expression
1. One side of a triangle is 4 cm longer than the shortest side and 2 cm shorter than the longest side. The perimeter is 38 cm. Find the dimensions of the triangle.

2. A spinner with eight equal sections numbered 1 through 8 is spun 50 times. The number 3 is recorded 8 times. Determine the experimental probability of spinning an 8.

3. Solve bx – cx = 7 for x.

Please..help. I would really appreciate it, i need it in soon. Reviewing for my exams. (Speechless)
• January 26th 2008, 10:05 AM
janvdl
Quote:

Originally Posted by Power
1. One side of a triangle is 4 cm longer than the shortest side and 2 cm shorter than the longest side. The perimeter is 38 cm. Find the dimensions of the triangle.

Side 1: $x$
Side 2: $x - 4$
Side 3: $x + 2$

$(x) + (x - 4) + (x + 2) = 38$

$3x - 2 = 38$

$3x = 40$

$x = 13,333$

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power
3. Solve bx – cx = 7 for x.

$x(b - c) = 7$

$x = \frac{7}{b - c}$

Quote:

Originally Posted by Power
Please..help. I would really appreciate it, i need it in soon. Reviewing for my exams. (Speechless)

I know next to nothing about probability, but I'll read through that question again and see if I can make anything out :D
• January 26th 2008, 11:14 AM
Power
Thanks man, your reply helped me a lot in problem no. 2, I never thought of factoring out the x variable.

But in problem 1, I still dont understand how can the sides equal the way you have them, can you please explain a little bit more.
• January 26th 2008, 11:16 AM
janvdl
Quote:

Originally Posted by Power
Thanks man, your reply helped me a lot in problem no. 2, I never thought of factoring out the x variable.

But in problem 1, I still dont understand how can the sides equal the way you have them, can you please explain a little bit more.

Remember in a triangle the perimeter = side 1 + side 2 + side 3

Also one side has a value of $x$ (We don't know what it is)

But it's 4 cm longer than another side, so the latter must be $x - 4$

Because it's 2 cm shorter than a third side, the third side must be $x + 2$