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Mathematics 8 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

If the two triangles are similar, solve for x http://roads.advancedacademics.com/contentserver/content/roadssection/292201//given%20the%20two%20triangles%20are%20similar%202.gif A. x = 3 B. x = 6 C. x = 9 D. x = 12

jimthompson5910 (jim_thompson5910):

the two triangles are similar, so the corresponding sides form a ratio

jimthompson5910 (jim_thompson5910):

which means we can say (x+9)/7 = (x+6)/6 cross multiply to get 6(x+9) = 7(x+6) then distribute to get 6x + 54 = 7x + 42 I'll let you finish up

OpenStudy (anonymous):

what do i do?

jimthompson5910 (jim_thompson5910):

from here you just need to isolate x

jimthompson5910 (jim_thompson5910):

6x + 54 = 7x + 42 6x + 54 - 54 = 7x + 42 - 54 6x = 7x - 12 ... ... ... x = ???

OpenStudy (anonymous):

i dont know how to finish that :/

jimthompson5910 (jim_thompson5910):

are you familiar with solving linear equations?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

not really no

jimthompson5910 (jim_thompson5910):

alright, what you want to do is move the 7x over so you need to undo adding 7x so you do what?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

i learned them but never quite got them

jimthompson5910 (jim_thompson5910):

how do we undo +7x

OpenStudy (anonymous):

make it negative?

jimthompson5910 (jim_thompson5910):

close, you subtract 7x from both sides

jimthompson5910 (jim_thompson5910):

6x - 7x = 7x - 12 - 7x notice how the 7x - 7x on the right side will become 0x or just 0

OpenStudy (anonymous):

so now its 6x - 12 ?

jimthompson5910 (jim_thompson5910):

what is 6x - 7x simplify to

OpenStudy (anonymous):

1x? or -1x? im really bad at math

jimthompson5910 (jim_thompson5910):

6x - 7x is -1x

jimthompson5910 (jim_thompson5910):

so we now have -1x = -12

jimthompson5910 (jim_thompson5910):

if -1x = -12 then x = ??

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