The second side of a triangular deck is 5 feet longer than the shortest side, and the third side is 5 feet shorter than twice the length of the shortest side. If the perimeter of the deck is 72 feet, what are the lengths of the three sides?

Answer: the length if the three sides are 31 feet, 23 feet and 18 feet.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x represent the length of the shortest side of the triangle.

Let y represent the length of the second side of the triangle.

Let z represent the length of the third side of the triangle.

The second side of a triangular deck is 5 feet longer than the shortest side. This means that

y = x + 5

The third side is 5 feet shorter than twice the length of the shortest side. This means that

z = 2x - 5

If the perimeter of the deck is 72 feet, it means that

x + x + 5 + 2x - 5 = 72

4x = 72

x = 72/4 = 18

z = 2x - 5 = 2 * 18 - 5

z = 36 - 5

z = 31

y = x + 5 = 18 + 5

y = 23