Help me find the lengths of the sides of these triangles?

Question

icalibear · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

well in this case, QS is equal to TV

QS = 3v + 2 and TV = 7v-6

set them equal to each other

QS = TV
3v + 2 = 7v - 6

and solve from there

icalibear · Answer

Well I did this I don't know if it's correct or not:

7v -3v + 2 = 7v - 6
4v + 2 = -6 + 2
4v = -8
v = -2

icalibear · Answer

@funinabox

phi · Answer

3v + 2 = 7v - 6

do it this way:  add -3v to BOTH sides (keep things =)
3v + 2 -3v  = 7v - 6-3v
now simplify

icalibear · Answer

2v = 10v - 6?

icalibear · Answer

3v + 2 - 3v = 7v - 6 - 3v
3y and 3v cancel out..?
2v =
combine like terms
10v - 6

icalibear · Answer

or just 2? not 2v? How does that simplify?

phi · Answer

on the left side you have
3v + 2 -3v  
you have 3 v's and take away 3'vs (that leaves no v's) you still have the 2
so you get
2= 7v -6 -3v

on the right you have 7 v's and take away 3 v's   how many v's ?

icalibear · Answer

4

icalibear · Answer

2 = 4v - 6
8 = 4v
= 2

phi · Answer

ok but always keep the v  (or whatever letter)
2= 7v-6-3v becomes
2= 4v - 6  (notice the 6 stays a 6.  no magically disappearing or adding v to it)

now add +6 to both sides
2+6= 4v -6 +6
can you simplify this?

phi · Answer

Looks like you can.   Now you now v  
The last line should say
v=2  (write it all down, it's easier to follow)

now you need to find the length of the side

icalibear · Answer

8 and 8

phi · Answer

QV= 3v+2
what is QV?

icalibear · Answer

8

phi · Answer

yes, you knew they were =, so you only have to do one side or the other. You will get the same number (you did!)

icalibear · Answer

so they both equal 8 ahah that was easy i just not with it today i guess! thanks for helping again! :P

phi · Answer

I would say you are pretty quick, but need to polish  up on the math...

phi · Answer

*need is not the right word.   How about  "add to your well-rounded development"

icalibear · Answer

yeah geometry is hard right now because i've been doing other stuff for 4 years and they brought prealgebra back into it and i overthink it too much

icalibear · Answer

but it only gets better from here right :P

phi · Answer

If you train to run a mile,  it is easy to run a mile after a lot of work.  But then running five miles is hard.  It does not get easier,  you get smarter (or at least learn a lot more)

icalibear · Answer

true. just have to keep doing it

phi · Answer

btw, if you get stuck on something you can try to find a video at http://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra (this is algebra, but there is lots more on other stuff)