January 4, 1999
Problem of the Month
A Trying Triangle Problem
from Discover Magazine,
October 1986
In an isosceles triangle with vertices labeled A,
B, and C, side AB is twice as long as side AC.
If
the perimeter is 200 meters, how long is side BC?
Solution to the Problem:
The answer is 80 meters.
AB must be equal to BC.
Therefore, let x = AC; then AB = 2x and BC = 2x.
So, 5x = 200 and x = 40, so 2x = 80.
AC can not equal BC, because the lengths of
50, 50, and 100 meters do NOT form a triangle!
Correctly solved by:
| 1. Rusty Snellgrove |
Atlanta, GA |
| 2. Trey Genda |
Winchester, VA |
| 3. Clark Nesselrodt |
Winchester, VA |
| 4. Andrew Crosby |
Winchester, VA |