Isosceles Trapezoid

Question

Isosceles Trapezoid ABCD has legs AB and CD and base BC. If AB= 5x+6 and BC= 8x+1 and CD=7x-9, find the value of x 

Answer 1

In an isosceles trapezoid, the legs are equal.  That means that AB = CD, so 5x+6 = 7x-9.  That's an equation we can solve:

 

5x + 6 = 7x - 9

5x + 15 = 7x

15 = 2x

15/2 = x

 

So x = 15/2, or 7 1/2