Answer: x = 8
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Explanation:
The tickmarks tell us which sides are the same length. This in turn tells us that points N and O are midpoints of LJ and LK respectively (since midpoints cut a segment in half). We consider segment NO to be a midsegment.
Recall that midsegments are half as long as the side they are parallel to. That means segment NO is half as long as JK. This reverses to segment JK being twice as long as segment NO.
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JK = 2*(NO)
2x+8 = 2*(12)
2x+8 = 24
2x+8-8 = 24-8 .... subtract 8 from both sides
2x = 16
2x/2 = 16/2 ...... divide both sides by 2
x = 8
If x = 8, then 2x+8 = 2*8+8 = 16+8 = 24. This shows that segment JK is 24 units long which is double that of midsegment NO being 12 units long. This confirms we have the correct x value.
