This question is referred to two similar triangles.
One triangle has sides x and x - 2.
The other triangle has the respective sides x + x + 5 and x - 2 + x + 1
Then you can state a proportionality relation between the sides>
[x + x + 5] / x = [x - 2 + x + 1] / [x - 2]
=> [2x + 5] / x = [2x - 1] / [x - 2]
=> (2x + 5)(x - 2) = (2x - 1)x
=> 2x^2 - 4x + 5x - 10 = 2x^2 - x
=> x - 10 = - x
=> 2x = 10
=> x = 10 / 2
=> x = 5
Answer: x = 5
The difference between the 26 mile trip and 38 mile trip is 12 miles.
The difference in the price is $3.00 ($65.50 - $62.50)
So those 12 miles cost $3.00 $3.00÷12 = $.25 per mile
We can use either given trip to solve. I will use the 38 mile trip.
The difference between 38 miles and 54 miles is 16 miles. At $.25 a mile those 16 miles will add $4.00 to the price. ($.25 x 16 = $4.00)
Since the 38 mile trip costs $65.50 we add $4.00 and get $69.50 for a 54 mile trip.
1. Take out the constants
-(2 x 3 x 4 x 2)xxyy^3
2. Simplify 2 x 3 x 4 x 2 to 48
-48xxyy^3
3. Use Product Rule: x^ax^b = x^a+b
-48x^1+1y^1+3
4. Simplify 1 + 1 to 2
-48x^2y^1+3
5. Simplify 1 + 3 to 4
-48x^2y^4
It is NOT the highest power shared BUT the lowest power shared. Step 2