One of the sides of an isosceles triangle is 5 cm smaller than the other. Find the sides of a triangle if its perimeter is 58 cm.

Let’s solve this problem using the equation.
Let the lengths of the sides of an isosceles triangle be x + 5 centimeters, then the length of its base is x centimeters. By the condition of the problem, the perimeter of an isosceles triangle is 58 centimeters. Let’s compose and solve the equation:
x + x + 5 + x + 5 = 58;
3x + 10 = 58;
3x = 58 – 10;
3x = 48 (in order to find an unknown factor, you need to divide the product by a known factor);
x = 48: 3;
x = 16 centimeters – base;
16 + 5 = 21 centimeters – sides.
Answer: 21 centimeters; 21 centimeters; 16 centimeters.