SAT practice math problem: 2 iso. triangles shown; if x=z+y and y=x/5, then find x

[sammmyricks]

Hey I have talked to an online math tutor and my dad and we cannot seem to figure out this problem! It is attached and here is the question: Two isosceles triangles are shown above. If x=z+y and y=x/5 what is the value of x?

 

[mmm4444bot]

Hey I have talked to an online math tutor and my dad and we cannot seem to figure out this problem! It is attached and here is the question: Two isosceles triangles are shown above. If x=z+y and y=x/5 what is the value of x?

I like how you started substituting. Try getting an expression for Z, in terms of X.

Then, you know that angle X and the base angle inside the triangle are supplementary. There's another way to express the base angle, in terms of X.

Draw the horizontal line which bisects angle Z. That forms a right triangle whose angles are:

90 degrees

Z/2 degrees

and the third one. The one that you need, to write and solve a "supplementary" equation.

Think about it. :cool: