If line segment KN is a median of ΔKLM, find KL.
C.9 or D.11 ?

Question

If line segment KN is a median of  ΔKLM, find KL.
C.9   or   D.11 ?

anonymous · Answer

|dw:1379442111938:dw|

e.mccormick · Answer

Do you know the definition of the median?

anonymous · Answer

the line in the middle right? ..i just learned these terms yesterday. :/ so im not sure.

e.mccormick · Answer

Middle is close. It connects a vertex to the opposite midpoint.  The midpoint means it is half way between.  So, if N is half way between M and L, do you see any mathematical relationships you can use?

anonymous · Answer

2x+3+3x-7  ??

e.mccormick · Answer

Forget about $\overline{KL}$ for now.  Start with just $\overline{ML}$.  Because N is half way between M and L, what does that mean about the mause of $\overline{MN}$ and $\overline{NL}$?

e.mccormick · Answer

measure.

anonymous · Answer

ok, it means its halfway across the base. what do you mean by measure??

anonymous · Answer

Do you mean 3(5)-7=8 Like that?

e.mccormick · Answer

It rearranged my post order.  That was odd.  

Measure, to find the lenght.  

Lets get away from even that for a moment.  If I take some line segment, any line segment, and I cut it in half, what one fact would I know about how long both halfs were?

anonymous · Answer

they would be equal halfs.

e.mccormick · Answer

The big word there being equal.  OK.  So, you have been told you have a median.  By definition, that median has a point that cuts the side in half.  That means the segements it is cut into are equal.

If they are equal, what equation can you make from the drawing?

anonymous · Answer

3x-7

e.mccormick · Answer

$3x-7=?\;\leftarrow$ an equation has an equals sign.  So what is the other side of the equation?

anonymous · Answer

3x-7=5 or 3x-7=3x-7

e.mccormick · Answer

Yes, 3x-7=3x-7, but the one I was getting at was:
$\overline{NL}=\overline{MN}\implies 3x-7=5$

See, knowing the terms lets you set up that equation.  That equation lets you solve for x.  Once you know x you can solve any other part of that triangle with an x in it.  =)

anonymous · Answer

ok how do i get x?

anonymous · Answer

solve for x?

anonymous · Answer

x=4

e.mccormick · Answer

Yes. That is it at that point.

anonymous · Answer

my answer 11. thanks!

e.mccormick · Answer

Now that you have x, you can use it to solve.... hehe.  I think you got it!