A farmer has just tilled his 54-meter by 72-meter field. To survey his field, the farmer begins in one corner and walks the length of the field. He then turns and walks the width before crossing diagonally across the field to the original corner. How far does the farmer walk?

2y+y=5

add 2y and y

you have 6 equal triangles, find the area of one of them (b*h/2) and multiply by 6

(8*4: 2)*6 =

32 cm² is your answer

look at the picture.

1.

ef : ab = 2 : 3

gf : cb = 2 : 3

gh : cd = 2 : 3

he : da = 2 : 3

2.

∠a ≅ ∠e

∠b ≅ ∠f

∠c ≅ ∠g

∠d ≅ ∠h

3.

use pythagorean theorem:

the length of the abcd trapezoid sides:

|ab| = 3 cm

|bc| = 10 cm

|cd| = 3(3) cm = 9 cm

|da| = 8 cm

the perimeter of abcd = 3 + 10 + 9 + 8 = 30 cm

the ratio of perimeters of the tarapezoids is equal 2 : 3.

substitute:

      cross multiply

      divide both sides by 3