The answer is x=5 or x=1/2.
Probability that both roads from a to b are blocked is the product of the individual probabilities, i.e.
P(~ab)=0.25*0.25=0.0625
Similarly
P(~bc)=0.25*0.25=0.0625
Probability that EITHER one or both of ab and bc are blocked is the sum of the probabilities:
P(~ab ∪ ~bc)=0.0625+0.0625=0.125
(recall that one cannot travel from a to c if either ab or bc is blocked.)
Therefore the probability that there exists an open route from a to c
= P(ac) = 1-P(~ab ∪ ~bc)
= 1 - 0.125
=0.875
