When can you simplify ratios

you can simplify rations just like you simplify fractions. Whenever you are able to evenly divide both parts of the ratio with out changing the equation's answer, you are able to.

for example

if it were 3:6, you can simplify this by dividing these both by 3, leaving you with 1:2.

x = -4

step-by-step explanation:

- 20 - 4(x + 3) = 4x

=> -20 - 4x - 12 = 4x

=> - 32 -4x = 4x

=> -32 = 4x + 4x

=> - 32 = 8x

=> -32/8 = x

=> -4 = x

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