ACT Math · Linear equations and inequalities

In a parallelogram, the diagonals bisect each other. If one half of a diagonal measures 3x+2 and the corresponding half of the other…

In a parallelogram, the diagonals bisect each other. If one half of a diagonal measures 3x+23x+2 and the corresponding half of the other diagonal's segment measures 5x−65x-6 (and these two halves are given to be equal), what is xx?

Answer and explanation

Answer: B: 4

The two expressions are said to be equal, so set them equal: 3x+2=5x−63x+2=5x-6. Subtract 3x3x from both sides: 2=2x−62=2x-6. Add 66: 8=2x8=2x, so x=4x=4, choice B. Check: 3(4)+2=143(4)+2=14 and 5(4)−6=145(4)-6=14. Choice A (22) gives 88 and 44. Choice C (66) gives 2020 and 2424. Choice D (88) gives 2626 and 3434. Only x=4x=4 makes the two halves of the diagonals equal in length, as they must be since the diagonals of a parallelogram bisect each other.

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