Question

Find the value of the variable if P is between J & K. A) JP = 8z - 17 B) PK = 5z + 37 C) JK = 17z - 4

Answer 1

We cannot deduce about the exact location of P between J and K. But we can conclude: segment JP + segment PK = line JK.
JP + PK = JK.
Substitute first each.
(8z - 17) + (5z + 37) = 17z - 4
Combine like terms.
13z + 20 = 17z - 4
Isolate the variable z.
4z = 24
z = 6
The value of the variable z is then 6 units.

Answer 2

From the problem statement, we can say that the sum of segment JP and segment PK is equal to the line JK.

JP + PK = JK.

First, we substitute the equations to each term.
(8z - 17) + (5z + 37) = 17z - 4 

Combining like terms.
13z + 20 = 17z - 4

Solving for z,
4z = 24 
z = 6