In the diagram triangles ABE and ACD are similar. BE is parallel to CD.
AB = 5 cm, BC = 4 cm, BE = 4 cm, AE = 8 cm, CD = p cm and DE = q cm. Work out the values of p and q

p = 7.2

q = 6.4

Step-by-step explanation:

if the triangles are similar then the side lengths must be proportional :

AC/BA = CD/BE

9/5 = p/4 cross multiply expressions

5p = 36 divide both sides by 5

p = 7.2

same goes for q

9/5 = (q+8)/8 cross multiply expressions

72 = 5(q+8) divide both sides by 5

14.4 = q+8 subtract 8 from both sides

6.4 = q

none of the above.

for one of the equations to be used in the process, there has to be a term in the equation since squared is .

since there is only a term in the first equation, we cannot derive a from completing the square.

solving with completing the square

the answer is -1 for this question

step-by-step explanation: