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    susio's Avatar
    susio Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Nov 3, 2010, 12:45 AM
    how many isoceles triangles of perimeter 113 have integer length sides?
    How do I start this problem
    ebaines's Avatar
    ebaines Posts: 12,131, Reputation: 1307
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    #2

    Nov 3, 2010, 06:13 AM

    Recall that an isoceles triangle is one that has two sides of equal length. Let's call the equal length sides 'a' and the third side 'b'. The length of the perimeter is then 2a+b=113. You are told that both a and b must be integers, so let's just see what happens if you try different values of b. From the equation above you can rearrange to get a by itself:



    Set b = 1, and you find a equals (113-1)/2 = 56. So this satisfies the criteria that ais an integer.

    Then try b = 2, and you find a would equal (113-2)/2 = 55.5. This is not an integer, so b = 2 is no good.

    Try a few more cases for b, and what do you find? There's a definite pattern here. Once you iunderstand that pattern you can answer the question. Post back with what you find!

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