The large side of the triangle is 16 cm. The other side is 7 cm larger than the smaller side

The large side of the triangle is 16 cm. The other side is 7 cm larger than the smaller side. Find the smaller side if the perimeter of the triangle is 39 cm.

We will solve this problem using an equation with one unknown.
1. Let’s denote the smaller side of the triangle through x centimeters.
2. Find what is the other side of the triangle.
(x + 7) centimeters.
3. Let’s compose and solve the equation:
16 + x + (x + 7) = 39
16 + x + x + 7 = 39
x + x = 39-16-7 =
2x = 16
x = 16/2
x = 8
4. The smaller side of the triangle is x = 8 centimeters.
Answer: The smaller side of the triangle is eight centimeters.