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Segment CD has a midpoint at point M. CM is 10(x-3) units long and MD is 2(3x-5) units long. What is the length of segment CD?

User Jewelsea
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1 Answer

5 votes

Answer: 12x - 20 units

Explanation:

To find the length of segment CD, you can use the formula for the distance between two points, which is given by the midpoint formula:

Midpoint formula: M = (1/2)(C + D)

In this case, C and D are the endpoints of segment CD, and M is the midpoint. The formula for the distance between C and D is:

CD = 2 * MD

Now, let's use the given information:

CM = 10(x - 3) units

MD = 2(3x - 5) units

First, find the coordinates of M using the midpoint formula:

M = (1/2)(C + D)

Since M is the midpoint, it is also the average of C and D:

M = (C + D)/2

Now, plug in the expressions for CM and MD:

M = [(10(x - 3), 2(3x - 5))/2

Simplify the expression inside the brackets:

M = (5(x - 3), 3x - 5)

Now, let's find the coordinates of C and D:

C = (10(x - 3), 0)

D = (0, 2(3x - 5))

Now, apply the midpoint formula to find M:

M = [(C + D)/2]

M = [(10(x - 3), 0 + 0, 2(3x - 5))/2]

Now, simplify further:

M = [(10(x - 3), 2(3x - 5))/2]

Now, we have the coordinates of M, which are (5(x - 3), 3x - 5).

To find CD, use the distance formula:

CD = 2 * MD

CD = 2 * [2(3x - 5)]

CD = 4(3x - 5)

Now, simplify:

CD = 12x - 20

So, the length of segment CD is 12x - 20 units.

User Ron Kalian
by
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