Jalil and Victoria are each asked to solve the equation ax – c = bx + d for x. Jalil says it is not possible to isolate x because each x has a different unknown coefficient. Victoria believes there is a solution, and shows Jalil her work: ax – c = bx + d
ax – bx = d + c
x (a – b) = d + c
x = x equals StartFraction d plus c Over a minus b EndFraction.
How can Victoria justify Step 3 of her work?

geometry: triangles

solvers

lessons

answers archive

call the larger triangle abc

then the smaller triangle cde is similar to abc (all angles are equal, aaa).  

ab is the side that is 36, and we wish to find de, the side corresponding to ab

area_cde = area_abc - area_cde --> area_abc / area_cde = 2

let x=length of de

ratio of areas = (ratio of sides)^2

+2+=+%2836%2fx%29%5e2+

+2+=+1296%2fx%5e2+

++x%5e2+=+1296%2f2+=+648+

25.45584

"a" determine whether sage found the correct quotient. show your work

step-by-step explanation: