9514 1404 393
Answer:
x = 7 1/3
Explanation:
The smaller triangle is 6/9 = 2/3 the size of the larger triangle, so the left side is ...
(x -2) = (2/3)(8)
3(x -2) = 16 . . . . . multiply by 3 to clear fractions
3x -6 = 16 . . . . . . eliminate parentheses
3x = 22 . . . . . . . . add 6; next divide by 3*
x = 22/3 = 7 1/3 . . . . . feet
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* Note that we multiplied by 3, then divided by 3. If you're comfortable working with fractions and/or mixed numbers, these steps are unnecessary. The answer is simply x = 2 + 16/3 = 22/3.