Chapter 10 - The Basics of Algebra I 311

Using Algebra to Solve Geometry Problems

Study the next examples carefully to see how to substitute algebraic
expressions into geometry formulas.

Example 'I The perimeter of a rectangle is 74 inches. The I ngth of the

rectangle is 5 inches more than the width. Find the length of
the rectangle.

Step 1 Let x represent the width and x + 5 width = x

the length. length = x + 5

Step 2 Substitute 74 for P, x + 5 for the Ie gth, and P = 21 + 2w

x for the width in the formula for the 74 = 2(x + 5) + 2x
perimeter of a rectangle.

74 = 2x + 10 + 2x
74 = 4x + 10
64 = 4x
16 = x

Step 4 Substitute 16 for x in he expression x + 5 length = x + 5

to find the length. he length is 21 inches. = 16 + 5 = 21

Example 2 In the iIIustratiorn at the right, LADe is a

right angle. What is the measure of~ADB?

Step.1 Write an equation that shows the sum of the

angles equal 90°.

5x = 90
x = 18

Step 3 Substitute 18 for x in the expression for LADB. 4x = 4(18) = 72°

The measure of LADB is 72°.
318 I Mathematics

Directions: Solve each problem.

1. Find the measure, in degrees, of the smallest ~lf~

angle iF}the triangle pictured at the right. '
:,-,(t- 4)( +-Sx =- i ~ / 3x 5x

;
2. A rectangle has a perimeter of 48 feet. The length is t~~' , .e
width. Find the measure of 1he width of the rectangle. 8
d
Y: + d- n
j() ;:::-LfQ
3. In the illustra-k6n a{the righPLAOC I
f

measures 90°. Find the measure of £:A°!fr-l i

A
B

><+};< -10:= 70 I'

I ~c
0

4. A rectangle has a perimeter of 60 inches. The ratio of the width to

d- (8~~ent
)S~~~ tJ7h ofthe rectangle in inches. ~
5. Fin"dthe mea~~e o~AOl5'in"'" A 0
the illustration at the rig~
'~

),>( +d)< ::: (&}V" C B

6. For the rectangle at the right, the

ratio of WXto WZ is 5:6. The perim
J}v J X ,-- ---. Y

of the rectangle is 110 feet. Find the length

of WZ in feet.

~)() t '~~f') ~ 1'(0

7. Find the measure of LAOD in the
illustration at the right. 1Jl§1
4)( "--< /0 := 51< + VO
 Chapter 10 - The Basics of Algebra I 319

8. The perimeter of the rectangle pictured

Ql N
,----------,
a
at the right is 34 feet. MP is 3 feet longer
than MN. Find the measure 0: fl'N in feet.
~ X' 1- ?-- C 'i t 3) := ?Jl-f

9. How many degrees are there in LW

in the illustration at the right?
e] M

0)(·t 31< ~ (80

10. The perimeter ofthe

square pictured at the
[5]
right is equal to the
perimeter of the rectangle.
Solve for x.

~)< ~ d-O) 1- )~-tr-)

Answers are on page 431.