Question

clara is building a triangular garden. she wants the length of the longest side to be three more than twice as long as the length of the shortest side, and the third side will be twelve feet long. what expression could she write to determine the perimeter of the triangle if s represents the length of the shortest side? (recall that perimeter is the distance around a shape.) s+(2s + 3)+12 what is the expression in simplified form? 3s + 15 what is the coefficient of the variable in the simplified expression? 1 1 2 3 12

Explanation:

Step1: Recall the perimeter formula

Perimeter of triangle = sum of side - lengths. Given shortest side is $s$, longest side is $2s + 3$ and third - side is 12. So perimeter $P=s+(2s + 3)+12$.

Step2: Simplify the expression

Combine like - terms. $s+2s+3 + 12=(s + 2s)+(3 + 12)=3s+15$.

Step3: Identify the coefficient of the variable

In the simplified expression $3s+15$, the coefficient of the variable $s$ is 3.

Answer:

3