Question

I need help with a paragraph proof!

"Provide the reasons for the following proof:
Given: AC=CE, AB=DE
Prove: BC=CD
Segment: A___B___C___D___E
Statements:
1) AC=CE, AB=DE
2) AB+BC=AC, CD+DE=CE
3) AB+BC=CD+DE
4) DE+BC=CD+DE
5) BC=CD"

I need reasons for each statement. So far I have:
1) Given
2) Segment Addition Postulate

I don't understand anything when it comes to segments for some reason. :(
Please help and thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Basically, think of the segments as ANY variable (Segments AC and CE, for example,5). The second two, lets say, are 2 (Segments AB and DE). Then, when you subtract the second pair of segments from the first to get BC and CD, you get EQUAL length for both of them. (5-3=3, 5-3=2 for both.)