Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
The line segment would like something like so:
X--------------------------Y---------------------------Z
The segment addition postulate says that x------y + y-------z = x-------y--------z
You are given the following measures for each:
5x-3 8x-9
X--------------------------Y---------------------------Z
|______________131______________|
You now need to substitute this in for the postulate:
Simplify the equation to solve for the value of x. Remove the parentheses:
Combine like terms to simplify the equation (make sure to keep the symbol of a term the same when combining. For example, since the negative symbol is in front of the three, it will be -3):
Use inverse operations. Add 12 to both sides:
Use inverse operations to isolate the variable. Divide both sides by 13:
Now that we know the value of x, we can insert its value into each given length to simplify:
--------------------
------------------
To make sure the values are true, insert them into the postulate:
Since the equation is true:
52 79
X--------------------------Y---------------------------Z
|______________131______________|
:Done