The sum of three consecutive even integers is -114. what is the least of these numbers? a. 40 b. -36 c. -40 d. -44

a

step-by-step explanation:

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

the answer is $4.45. i started by figuring out the cost of the plates and napkins. the easiest way to figure this cost out is through the tax. we know the way they found the tax is by multiplying the cost of non-food items by the tax rate (5% or 0.5). so, all we have to do to find the cost before tax is set up an equation and work this formula backwards. the equation is 0.19=0.05x where x is the cost of the plates and napkins. now all you do is divide both sides by 0.05 to come up with 3.8=x. now that we know the cost of the plates and napkins is $3.80, all we have to do is subtract this cost from the total cost of $8.25 giving us the cost of the watermelon which is $4.45.