Question I have a question and it states..
R,S, and T are collinear. S is between R and T. RS=2w+1, ST= w-1, and RT=18. Use the Segment Addition Postulate to solve for w. Then determine the length of segment RS.
I got to the point of drawing it then I got stuck. Please help me.
Answer Let XY, YZ, and XZ be lines.
The Segment Addition Postulate says that if XY + YZ = XZ,
then Y is between the points X and Z.
Using the posutlate for RS, ST, and TW, we know that RS + ST = RT.
Since RS=2w+1 and ST=w-1, RS+ST=3w.
Since RT = 18 and we have also seen it to be 3w, that says that 3w = 18, or w=6.
Using that, RS = 13 and ST = 5, giving RT = 18.
So take graph paper, make the line RS have length 13.
Connected to it and starting at S, make another line of length 5.
This will give RT as 18 units.
