A triangular section of land is fenced off due to contamination. Two sides of the triangle are each 16 meters (16m) longer than the third side.

If 122m of fencing is used to enclose the area, what is the length of the shortest side, in meters?

Answer: the shortest side is 30m

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the shortest side be a meters

If side 2 is 16m longer than the shortest side, then it is (16+a) meters.

The same goes with side 3.

Then,

a + (16+a) + (16+a) = 122m

32 + 3a = 122m

Collecting like terms together,

3a = 122 - 32

3a = 90

Divide by coefficient of a

3a/3 = 90/3

a = 30 meters

Check:

30 + (16+30) + (16+30)

30 + 46 + 46 = 112

Shortest side = 30 m long.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the shortest side be x meters long.

The other 2 sides are both x + 16 m.

The perimeter is 122 m so

x + 2 (x + 16) = 122

x + 2x + 32 = 122

3x = 122 - 32

3x = 90

x = 30 m.