Answer: x = 7
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Reason:
By definition of what it means to be a midpoint, P splits XY into equal pieces XP and PY
XP = PY
8x-2 = 12x-30
8x-12x = -30+2
-4x = -28
x = -28/(-4)
x = 7
Plug this x value into each expression to check the answer
- XP = 8x-2 = 8*7-2 = 56-2 = 54
- PY = 12x-30 = 12*7-30 = 84-30 = 54
Both pieces XP and PY are 54 units long to verify we have the correct x value.