Answer:
x = 3
Explanation:
First, we know that the perimeter in total is 23. So, we need to make sure that all of the sides combined are 23. The equation becomes:
3x - 5 + 2x + 1 + 4x = 23
Let's simplify this.
3x + 2x + 4x - 5 + 1 = 23
Simplify again.
3x + 2x + 4x - 5 + 1 = 23
5x + 4x - 5 + 1 = 23
9x - 5 + 1 = 23
9x - 4 = 23
Now we have the simplified equation of 9x - 4 = 23. Now we must solve for x.
9x - 4 (+ 4) = 23 (+ 4)
9x = 27
9 9
x = 3
Now we can see that x = 3, which should be our answer. To make sure, let's plug it into the equation.
[3(3) - 5] + [2(3) + 1] + [4(3)] = 23
[9 - 5] + [2(3) + 1] + [4(3)] = 23
[9 - 5] + [6 + 1] + [4(3)] = 23
[9 - 5] + [6 + 1] + 12 = 23
4 + [6 + 1] + 12 = 23
4 + 7 + 12 = 23
11 + 12 = 23
23 = 23
As you can see, we got the answer 23 = 23. That indeed means that x = 3. Hope this helps!