Jamal has two rectangular dive flags. The flags are similar and have dimensions, in inches, as shown in the figure below.

Two rectangular flags are shown. The bigger flag has length 3x + 11 and width 4x. The smaller flag has length 16 and width 14

What is the value, in inches, of x?

Question

Jamal has two rectangular dive flags. The flags are similar and have dimensions, in inches, as shown in the figure below. 

Two rectangular flags are shown. The bigger flag has length 3x + 11 and width 4x. The smaller flag has length 16 and width 14

What is the value, in inches, of x?

tkhunny · Answer

The important word is "similar".  This means corresponding parts are proportional.  A simple proportion can then be created:

$\dfrac{Width}{Length} = \dfrac{4x}{3x+11} = \dfrac{14}{16}$

Be careful with that, since the two flags' dimensions are reported in different orders.

anonymous · Answer

x=7?

tkhunny · Answer

I don't know.  I didn't intend to work the problem.  You show me how you did it.

tkhunny · Answer

Yes.  x = 7.  Why do you doubt?

anonymous · Answer

Because I'm uber blonde nd manage to mess everything up.