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Find the values of the variables. Then find the side length of the square 

Find the values of the variables. Then find the side length of the square -example-1
User Lxyu
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1 Answer

1 vote

Answer:

  • x = 4
  • y = 8
  • side length = 4

Explanation:

You have a square with sides labeled (y-4), (3x-8), (2y-12), and you want to know the values of the variables as well as the side length.

Setup

All sides of the square are the same length. Equating two different y-expressions, we get ...

y -4 = 2y -12

We can use the solution to that to find x:

y -4 = 3x -8

Solution

Adding 12-y to the first of these equations gives us ...

8 = y

Using this value in the second equation, we have ...

8 -4 = 3x -8

12 = 3x . . . . . . add 8

4 = x . . . . . . . . divide by 3

The side length is ...

y -4 = 8 -4 = 4

The values of the variables are x = 4, y = 8, and the side length of the square is 4.

User Gerard Ribas
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