Question

If STUV is a square with SW = 2x + 13 and WU = 8x - 41, find VT. 20 points

Answer 1

Answer: VT equals 62

Step-by-step explanation: In the square with sides STUV, the point W is a midpoint on the diagonal of the square such that the diagonal line SU is divided into two equal halves by the lines SW and WU. Also note that a square has two diagonals whose measurements are equal, that is, line SU equals line VT.

If the point W is the midpoint of SU, then we can conclude that SW equals WU. This means;

2x + 13 = 8x - 41

Collect like terms and you now have,

13 + 41 = 8x - 2x

54 = 6x

Divide both sides of the equation by 6

9 = x

Having calculated the value of x, remember that SW plus WU equals SU. And diagonal SU equals diagonal VT.

Therefore, VT is calculated as follows;

VT = SW + WU

VT = 2x + 13 + 8x - 41

VT = 2(9) + 13 + 8(9) - 41

VT = 18 + 13 + 72 - 41

VT = 62