Question

Calculate the length of segment RS with midpoint, M , if RM = 5x and MS = x + 12.

A. 3

B. 25

C. 30

D. 36

E. 15

Answer 1

the full segment is: 30 units long

which coincides with answer C in your list

Step-by-step explanation:

If M is the midpoint, then it divides the segment in two equal parts. Then, we can say that:

RM = MS (equality among the two parts of the divided segment)

replacing RM with "5 x" and MS with "x + 12", we get:

5 x = x + 12

solving for x:

5 x - x = 12

4 x = 12

then x = 3

With this info, we can calculate the length of each half of the segment and consequently its full length:

RM = 5 x = 5 (3) = 15

then the full segment is: 30 units long