Question

Find x and y, given that line WS and line VT are parallel. Show all work!

Answer 1

In the given diagram, the traingles USW and UTV are similar triangles and thus the following ratio equality applies to them.

$\frac{VT}{WS} =\frac{VU}{WU}=\frac{TU}{SU}$..........(Equation 1)

Checking the diagram given, we see that:

VT=y, WS=22, VU=8, ST=x-2

WU=WV+VU=12+8=20

TU=5

SU=ST+TU=(x-2)+5=x+3

Thus, substituting the required values in (Equation 1) we get:

$\frac{y}{22}=\frac{8}{20}=\frac{5}{x+3}$

Now, as can be clearly seen, to find y we will use the first two ratios as:

$\frac{y}{22}=\frac{8}{20}$

$y=\frac{8\times 22}{20}=8.8$

In a similar manner, to find the value of x we can use the last two ratios:

$\frac{8}{20}=\frac{5}{x+3}$

After cross multiplication we get:

$5\times 20=8(x+3)$

Which can be simplified as:

$x+3=\frac{100}{8} =12.5$

Thus, $x=12.5-3=9.5$

Therefore, the required answer is:

x=9.5 and y=8.8