The points A, B,C and D divide the line segment AD in the ratio 4:3:1 , respectively , and AD = 72cm . What is the length of BD?

Segment addition postulate states that given points X, and Z, on a line, a point Y, can be located between X, and Z, ony if we have;

XZ = XY + YZ

The length of the segment BD is 36  cm

The reason the above value is correct is as follows:

Known:

The ratio in which the points A, B, C, and D divide the line segment = 4:3:1

The length of segment AD = 72 cm

Required:

The length of BD

Method:

Calculate the length of BC and CD and add their values to get BD

Solution:

Let the ratios be given unit proportions of the segment AD such that we have;

AB = 4 units

BC = 3 units

CD = 1 unit

By segment addition postulate, we have;

AD = AB + BC + CD

∴ AD = 4 units + 3 units + 1 unit = 8 units = 72 cm

∴ 1 unit = 72 cm/8 = 9 cm

1 unit = 9 cm

BD = BC + CD by segment addition postulate

BC = 3 units = 3 × 1 unit

∴ BC = 3 × 9 cm = 27 cm

BC = 27 cm

CD = 1 unit

∴ CD = 9 cm

∴ BD = 27 cm + 9 cm = 36 cm

The length of segment BD = 36 cm

Learn more about segment addition postulate here:

yo answer should be 6 if im not mistaken

step-by-step explanation: