Question

Find the length of segments AB and BC.

Answer 1

AB= 10

BC=48

Explanation:

AB + BC= AC

(x-5) + (3x+3)= 6x-32

add like terms

x + 3x= 4x

-5+3= -2

now you have

4x-2= 6x-32

move like terms

subtract 4x on both sides

-2= 2x-32

add 32 to both sides

30= 2x

divide by 2

x=15

Plug 15 in for x and solve

Answer 2

AB = 10

BC = 48

Explanation:

Assuming ABC is a straight line,

then AC = AB + BC

It is given that :

AB = x - 5

BC = 3x + 3

AC = 6x - 32

hence

AC = AB + BC

or

(6x - 32) = (x - 5) + (3x + 3)

6x - 32 = x - 5 + 3x + 3

6x - 32 = 4x - 2

6x - 4x = -2 + 32

2x = 30

x = 15

hence

AB = x - 5 = 15 - 5 = 10

BC = 3x + 3 = 3(15) + 3 = 48