document.write( "Question 642256: the parallel sides of a trapezium are a and b respectively. find the value of a + b if it has a area of 20cm2 and the distance between the parallel sides is 5cm.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "1/2(a+b)(5)=20
\n" ); document.write( "i do not understand the next step
\n" ); document.write( "a+b=20 x 2 + 5 \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #404006 by Edwin McCravy(20056) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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document.write( "(a+b)(5) = 20\r\n" );
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document.write( "Multiply both sides by (2) to clear of fractions:\r\n" );
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document.write( "(2)(a+b)(5) = (2)20\r\n" );
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document.write( "The (2) and the  multiply to give 1 and (2) times the 20 \r\n" );
document.write( "multiply to give 40.  So we now have\r\n" );
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document.write( "(1)(a+b)(5) = 40\r\n" );
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document.write( "We can remove the (1)\r\n" );
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document.write( "   (a+b)(5) = 40\r\n" );
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document.write( "Next we divide both sides by 5:\r\n" );
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document.write( "   = \r\n" );
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document.write( "Now we can cancel the (5) and the 5, and 40 divided by 5 gives 8.\r\n" );
document.write( "So we have:\r\n" );
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document.write( "   = 8\r\n" );
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document.write( "  (a+b) = 8\r\n" );
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document.write( "Edwin

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