If x and y are both positive, when is x-y negative? if x and y are both negative, when is x-y positive?

step-by-step explanation:

if you meant, "on the way from (3, 2) to (3, 14):

x does not change; y increases by 12.

ensure that you have copied down this problem correctly.   .

we have three similar triangles, because each has a right angle and shares an angle.   let's write the angles in order: opposite to short leg, long leg, hypotenuse.

cab similar to bad similar to cbd

or as ratios,

ca: ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

we also know

ac = ad + cd

(ad+cd): ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

(ad+cd)/cb=cb/cd

we have cb=6, ad=5 and seek x=cd.

we reject the negative root and conclude x=4

answer: 4