The three sides of an isosceles triangle are length of lengths (x + 3), (2x...

Mathematics

JAMB 1993

The three sides of an isosceles triangle are length of lengths (x + 3), (2x + 3), (2x - 3) respectively. Calculate x.

A. 5
B. 1
C. 3
D. 6

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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation

2x + 3 \(\neq\) 2x - 3 for any value of x

∴ for the \(\bigtriangleup\) to be isosceles, either

2x - 3 = x + 3 or 2x + 3 = x + 3

solve the two equations we arrive at

x = 6 or x = 0

When x = 6, the sides are 9, 15, 9

When x = 0, the sides are 3, 4, -3 since lengths of a \(\bigtriangleup\)can never be negative then the value of x = 6

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