Question

What is the value of x? x =

Answer 1

The formula we need is this one: $EC(EC+CD)=EB(EB+BA)$.  Filling in accordingly, we have x+4(x+4+1)=x+1(x+1+11).  Simplifying that we get (x+4)(x+5)=(x+1)(x+12).  We will FOIL both sides to get $x^2+9x+20=x^2+13x+12$.  Combining like terms gives us this simplification: 0=4x-8.  If we factor out the common 4, we have 0 = 4(x-2).  By the Zero Product Property, eitheer 4=0 or x-2=0.  Well obviously, 4 does not equal zero, so x-2 = 0, and x = 2.