Point D is taken on side BC of triangle ABC. Find the length of line segment BD if it is 5 cm shorter than DC

Point D is taken on side BC of triangle ABC. Find the length of line segment BD if it is 5 cm shorter than DC and side BC is 18 cm.

1. Let us denote the length of the segment BD by x.

2. Determine the length of the segment DC:

(x + 5) cm.

3. The length of the segment BC is equal to the sum of the lengths of the segments into which it is divided by point D, that is BC = BD + DC.

Let’s compose and solve the equation:

(x + 5) + x = 18;

x + 5 + x = 18;

2x + 5 = 18;

2x = 18 – 5;

2x = 13;

x = 13: 2;

x = 6.5.

4. The length of the segment BD is 6.5 cm.

Answer: The length of the segment BD is 6.5 cm.