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    If The Equations 2x+y=8 And X-2y=4 Represent The Two Sides Of A Triangle What Does The Other Side Equal? What Is The Equation For The Third Side And How Do I Solve The Equations?

    I just started algebra and I really need some help.

    asked 3 months ago

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    Judging by the graphs of these equations (see picture), perhaps the other side of the triangle is x=0. The equation for the third side can be anything that
     - doesn't go through the point (4,0), i.e. the point where these lines intersect, and
     - isn't parallel to one of the other lines.
    _____
    To solve these equations for the point at which they intersect, you can do this.
    1. Rewrite the equation so y is on one side by itself.
     2x+y=8
     y = 8-2x  (subtract 2x from both sides of the equation)

     x-2y=4
     x=4+2y  (add 2y to both sides)
     x-4=2y  (subtract 4 from both sides)
     (x-4)/2 = y  (divide both sides by 2)

    2. Now, equate the two expressions for y
     (x-4)/2 = y = 8-2x

    3. Solve for x
     (x-4)/2 = 8-2x
     x-4 = 2(8-2x)  (multiply both sides by 2)
     x-4 = 16-4x  (distributive law applied to right side)
     x+4x-4 = 16  (add 4x to both sides)
     x+4x = 16+4  (add 4 to both sides)
     x(1+4) = 20  (apply distributive law to left side, i.e. simplify)
     5x = 20
     x = 20/5 = 4  (divide both sides by 5)

    4. Solve for y
     Pick the easiest expression to work with, and substitute the value of x
     (x-4)/2 = y
     (4-4)/2 = y
     0/2 = y
     0 = y

    5. Put together what you know.
     The point of intersection is (x=4, y=0), or (4, 0).

    There are many other ways to solve these equations, some of which may take fewer steps. Whatever you do, you need to remember that the "equal sign" is a sacred thing. You must always maintain its integrity by doing to the left side exactly the same thing you do to the right side. Remember that, and algebra will be a lot easier.

    answered 3 months ago   

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