9514 1404 393
Answer:
x = 16
Explanation:
Corresponding sides are proportional.
BE/CD = AE/AD
20/(3x+8) = (x-1)/(x-1+27)
20(x+26) = (3x+8)(x -1)
In standard form, this is ...
3x^2 -15x -528 = 0
x^2 -5x -176 = 0 . . . . . . divide by 3
(x -16)(x +11) = 0 . . . . . . . factor
x = 16
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This is the positive value that makes the product zero. x=-11 will also make the product 0, but gives negative segment lengths in the geometry. It is an extraneous solution.