Big Ideas Math Integrated I, 2016
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Big Ideas Math Integrated I, 2016 View details
2. Measuring and Constructing Segments
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Exercise 29 Page 394

Practice makes perfect
a If we visualize the given conditions, we will have a straight line with points R, S, and T, in that order.
From the exercise, we know that the length of RS can be expressed as 2x + 10. Let's mark it on our picture.

Now, we will do the same thing with the rest of the information. The length of ST is x-4 and RT is 21.

We can use the Segment Addition Postulate to write an equation since the points are collinear. The length of RT is the sum of RS and ST.
RT=RS+ST
21=(2x+10)+(x-4)
21=2x+10+x-4
21=3x+6
Now that we have simplified the right-hand side as much as possible, we have an equation that we can solve for x.
21=3x+6
15=3x
3x=15
x=5
The value of x is 5. Our last step is to use x=5 to calculate the different lengths.
Distance x=5 Length
RS 2( 5)+10 20
ST 5-4 1
RT 21 21
b We will continue the same way as in Part A, by drawing a picture of the points and the lengths between them.
With the Segment Addition Postulate we can form an equation, using the expressions for the lengths.
RT=RS+ST
60=(3x-16)+(4x-8)
60=3x-16+4x-8
60=7x-24
Now that we have simplified the right-hand side as much as possible, we have an equation that we can solve for x.
60=7x-24
84=7x
7x=84
x=12
Now that we have solved the equation for x, we can use the value to calculate the lengths.
Distance x=12 Length
RS 3( 12)-16 20
ST 4( 12)-8 40
RT 60 60
c This time, RS=2x-8, ST=11, and RT=x+10. Let's mark the lengths in the picture.
We can now make an equation using the Segment Addition Postulate with the expressions for the different lengths.
RT=RS+ST
(x+10)=(2x-8)+11
x+10=2x-8+11
x+10=2x+3
Now that we've simplified both sides as much as possible, we have an equation that we can solve for x.
x+10=2x+3
10=x+3
x+3=10
x=7
The value of x is 7. We will use this and the given expressions to find the lengths.
Distance x=7 Length
RS 2( 7)-8 6
ST 11 11
RT 7+10 17
d One last time, let's use the diagram to visualize the relationship.
We can use the Segment Addition Postulate to form an equation that equates the segment lengths.
RS+ST=RT
(4x-9)+19=(8x-14)
4x-9+19=8x-14
4x+10=8x-14
Now that we have simplified the left-hand side as much as possible, we have an equation that we can solve for x.
4x+10=8x-14
4x+24=8x
24=4x
6=x
x=6
By substituting x with 6 in the expressions, we can calculate the lengths.
Distance x=6 Length
RS 4( 6)-9 15
ST 19 19
RT 8( 6)-14 34