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The isosceles triangle has a perimeter of 7.5 m. Which equation can be used to find the value of [tex]x[/tex] if the shortest side, [tex]y[/tex], measures 2.1 m?

A. [tex]2x - 2.1 = 7.5[/tex]
B. [tex]4.2 + 1.7 = 7.5[/tex]
C. [tex]y - 4.2 = 7.5[/tex]
D. [tex]2.1 + 2x = 7.5[/tex]

Answer :

To solve this problem, we need to determine if any of the given equations correctly represent the conditions of the isosceles triangle's perimeter and side lengths.

### Understanding the Problem:

We have an isosceles triangle with:
- A perimeter of 7.5 meters.
- The shortest side, [tex]\( y \)[/tex], measuring 21 meters.

In an isosceles triangle, if one side is the shortest, the other two sides are equal. Hence, the equation for the perimeter could be expressed as:

[tex]\[ 2x + y = \text{perimeter} \][/tex]

Substituting the values we know:

[tex]\[ 2x + 21 = 7.5 \][/tex]

### Checking the Equations:

Let's check each given choice:

1. [tex]\(2x - 2.1 = 7.5\)[/tex]:
- This would imply that [tex]\(2x = 9.6\)[/tex], which doesn't match our setup as [tex]\(2x\)[/tex] should be calculated from our equation above.

2. [tex]\(4.2 + 1.7 = 0.5\)[/tex]:
- This equation does not make sense in the context of calculating [tex]\(x\)[/tex] or the perimeter directly.

3. [tex]\(y - 4.2 = 7.5\)[/tex]:
- This simplifies to [tex]\(y = 11.7\)[/tex], which contradicts the given side length [tex]\(y = 21\)[/tex].

4. [tex]\(2.1 + 2x = 7.5\)[/tex]:
- Rearranging this equation yields:
- [tex]\(2x = 7.5 - 2.1\)[/tex]
- [tex]\(2x = 5.4\)[/tex]

None of these equations can provide a logical measure for the triangle, especially when the side [tex]\( y \)[/tex] is reported as 21 m, which exceeds the stated perimeter of 7.5 m.

### Conclusion:

The given conditions create a contradiction, since a perimeter of 7.5 m is less than the known length of side [tex]\( y = 21 \)[/tex] m, which is not possible for a valid triangle. Thus, none of the provided equations correctly describe this scenario with the given measurements.

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