Answer to January 4, 1999 Problem

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:

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