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Can anyone help me understand this

Can anyone help me understand this-example-1

1 Answer

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Answer:

(x, y) = (2, 9)

Explanation:

For the triangles to be congruent, the hypotenuses must be the same length:

y = x + 7

and the marked leg must be the same length in each triangle:

y -3 = 4x -2

These are two equations in two unknowns (a "system" of equations) that can be solved in any of the usual ways. Since the first equation gives an expression for y, it is convenient to substitute that into the second equation:

(x +7) -3 = 4x -2

x +4 = 4x -2 . . . . . . collect terms

x +6 = 4x . . . . . . . . .add 2

6 = 3x . . . . . . . . . . . subtract x

2 = x . . . . . . . . . . . . divide by 3

y = 2 + 7 = 9 . . . . . .substitute for x in the first equation

The values you're looking for are x = 2, y = 9.

User Roun
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