Question Point S is on line segment \( \overline{R T} \). Given \( S T=2 x, R T=4 x \), and \( R S=4 x-4 \), determine the numerical length of \( \overline{R S} \). Answer Attempt 1 out of 3 \( R S=\square \) Show Examples Video
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To solve for the length of \(\overline{RS}\), we can set up an equation using the information provided. We know that the whole length \(RT\) should equal the sum of the two segments \(RS\) and \(ST\). Therefore, we can express this as: \[ RT = RS + ST \] Given \(ST = 2x\) and \(RT = 4x\), we can substitute these values into the equation: \[ 4x = RS + 2x \] Now we also know that \(RS = 4x - 4\). Substituting this into our equation gives: \[ 4x = (4x - 4) + 2x \] Simplifying this, we find: \[ 4x = 4x - 4 + 2x \] \[ 4x = 6x - 4 \] To isolate \(x\), we can move \(6x\) to the left side: \[ 4x - 6x = -4 \] \[ -2x = -4 \] Dividing both sides by \(-2\) yields: \[ x = 2 \] Now, we can substitute \(x\) back to find \(RS\): \[ RS = 4x - 4 = 4(2) - 4 = 8 - 4 = 4 \] Thus, the numerical length of \(\overline{RS}\) is: \[ RS = 4 \]