Answer:
[tex]x = 14.8[/tex]
Step-by-step explanation:
As these triangles are similar, every side and angle corresponds and this is key to calculating this equation.
First, look at the side that is labeled [tex]x + 8[/tex] and find the corresponding side on the other triangle. Write this out as a fraction as shown below. Now find two corresponding sides that are both marked (the base lines) and write them out as a fraction as well (note that which ever triangle you are solving for, it's numbers will go on the top of the fraction)
[tex]\frac{x + 8}{36} = \frac{38}{60}[/tex]
We want to get the [tex]x[/tex] by its self and at the moment it is divided by 36. To remove the 36, we need to multiply both sides of the equation by 36
36 x [tex]\frac{x + 8}{36} = \frac{38}{60}[/tex] x 36
This cancels out both the 36s on the left leaving us with
[tex]x + 8 = \frac{38}{60}[/tex] x 36
all that needs to happen now is to remove the +8 so we are just left with [tex]x[/tex]. to do this, just subtract 8 from both sides and we are left with
[tex]x = \frac{38}{60}[/tex] x 36 - 8
calculate 38 ÷ 60 x 36 - 8 = 14.8
∴ [tex]x = 14.8[/tex]
I hope this was helpful and not too long :-)
