Which is the best estimate of the slope of
the graph shown?

we have three similar triangles, because each has a right angle and shares an angle.   let's write the angles in order: opposite to short leg, long leg, hypotenuse.

cab similar to bad similar to cbd

or as ratios,

ca: ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

we also know

ac = ad + cd

(ad+cd): ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

(ad+cd)/cb=cb/cd

we have cb=6, ad=5 and seek x=cd.

we reject the negative root and conclude x=4

answer: 4

josh is incorrect

x= 7 and x= -1

step 2 is wrong and honestly first step is not needed, you just need to figure out the factors

i know its wrong because if you plug in the solutions josh found, they do not work (in the original equation)

x^2 -6x -7 = 0

(x-7) (x+1) = 0

x-7=0 x+1=0

x= 7 x= -1

assuming "divided his salary into two" means in half,

he has 215 remaining, plus 200 he originally had before buying a watch

he originally has $415 in his personal account

if this is half the salary, 415 times 2 is $830

his salary would have been $830.