Question

Solve for x.......................

Answer 1

The answer 40.5.....

Answer 2

D) x = 40.5

Explanation:

When parallel lines create a smaller triangle inside a larger triangle, the triangles are similar. Triangle similarity means that side lengths are proportional, meaning to find x we must use dimensions of the smaller triangle to create a proportion.

The left side of the larger triangle is 12 + 15, so it is 27.

The left side of the smaller triangle is 12.

So, part of the proportion will be
`(27)/(12)`

The bottom side of the larger triangle is x.

The bottom side of the smaller triangle is 18.

So, part of the proportion will be
`(x)/(18)`

The full proportion will be:

`(27)/(12)=(x)/(18)`

Cross multiply and solve for x.

27(18) = 12x

486 = 12x

40.5 = x