Need help ASAP. MUST be correct. 10 points. Thanks

Question

asked Mar 18, 2019 86.6k views

1 Answer

Linas Valiukas · Answer 1 · 2019-03-22T20:29:27+0000

ΔABC and ΔDBE are similar. Therefore the side are in proportion:

(DE)/(DB)=(AC)/(AB)

DE = 3x - 5

DB = a

AC = 20

AB = a + a = 2a

Substitute:

(3x-5)/(a)=(20)/(2a) cross multiply

2a(3x-5)=20a divide both sides by 2a ≠ 0

3x-5=10 add 5 to both sides

3x=25 divide both sides by 3

x=(25)/(3)

$\boxed{x=8.\overline{3}}$