Question

What is the value for x? Enter your answer in the box. x =

Answer 1

x = 5

73 + (8y - 7) + (6x + 4) = 180 because a triangle always equals 180 degrees

and because the side lengths are the same you know that (8y - 7) = 73

so 180 - 2(73) = 34

so (6x + 4) = 34

6x = 30

x = 5

Answer 2

Remark

The trick here is to observe that AB and BC are marked as equal. You do not have to solve for y. All you have to do is observe that <A and <C are equal.

Equation

AB = BC                              Given

<A = <C                                Angles Opposite Equal Sides are equal  

A + C + B = 180                    All triangles have exactly 180 degrees.

73 + 73 + B = 180                 Combine

146 + B = 180                        Subtract 146 from both sides

146 - 146 + B = 180 - 146      combine

B = 34

Solution

34 is not the answer, but it does give you 1/2 the equation.

6x + 4 = 34                            Subtract 4 from both sides.

6x + 4 - 4 = 34 - 4                 Combine

6x = 30                                  Divide by 6

x = 30/6

x = 5                                       Answer