CPhill

Let's see how happy7 might have gotten this

1/2(16x - 8) = 2(x + 16)      multiply both sides by 2

16x - 8  =  4(x + 16)   simplify

16x - 8 = 4x + 64      add 8 to both sides

16x = 4x + 72           subtract 4x from both sides

12x = 72                   divide both sides by 12

x = 6

And as happy7 has said, "That is all."

Just kidding with you, Ethan......

I don't know how to find this with determinants....but I can tell you how to solve it...

Find the distances between the three points. Label these a, b and c.

Find the semi-perimeter = (s) =  (a + b + c) / 2

The area is given by Heron's Formula =

A = √[ s * (s -a) * (s - b) * (s - c) ]

Mmmmmm...it appears that one committe member is doubting his own contibution to the project......we'll let you slide this time, Ethan.....(just be careful) .......

That settles it....our select committee composed of Ethan, BrittanyJ and Yours Truly has examined this issue in depth.....the desk appears to be 2.5 ft wide.......give or take.......

There is nothing to rationalize here.......we usually use this proceedure if we have a "root" in a numerator, or more comonly, a denominator.

Area = Length x Width....so we have

8+3/4 = 3+1/2 x W

8.75 = 3.5 x W     divide both sides by 3.5

8.75 / 3.5 = W = 2.5 ft.

LOL!!.....but...since I'm a mod...I have the "power" of the points......don't worry....I gave you 3, too!!!

Only square matrices have determinants.

We have

50 = P_o(1.02)²      where P_o is the original population.......divide both sides by  (1.02)² 

50 / (1.02)² = P_o = about 48

So.....the population  at t = 2.1  =

48(1.02)^2.1 =  still about 50

This is explained by the fact that the population is small and the lapse of time between 2 and 2.1 is also small......