Find Side Length X in a Parallelogram with Perimeter 30 and AB = 10

Parallelogram Perimeter with Unknown Side

Look at the parallelogram below.

AB = 10

AC = X

The perimeter of the parallelogram is 30.

AAABBBDDDCCC10X

Calculate X.

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:09 Let's find the value of X.
00:13 Remember, in a parallelogram, opposite sides are equal.
00:21 So, these sides are also a pair of opposites, which means they are equal too.
00:28 The perimeter of the parallelogram is the total length of all its sides.
00:43 Now, let's substitute the values we know and solve for X.
01:00 Next, let's isolate X by itself.
01:14 And that's how we solve this problem!

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Look at the parallelogram below.

AB = 10

AC = X

The perimeter of the parallelogram is 30.

AAABBBDDDCCC10X

Calculate X.

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the given information: AB=10 AB = 10 , AC=X AC = X , and the perimeter is 30.
  • Step 2: Apply the formula for the perimeter of a parallelogram: 2(a+b)=perimeter 2(a + b) = \text{perimeter} .
  • Step 3: Substitute the values and solve for X X .

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The problem provides us AB=10 AB = 10 , AC=X AC = X , and the perimeter as 30.
Step 2: The perimeter P P of a parallelogram with sides AB AB and AC AC is given by P=2(AB+AC) P = 2(AB + AC) .
Substitute the known values: 2(10+X)=30 2(10 + X) = 30 .
Step 3: Simplify this equation: 2(10+X)=30 2(10 + X) = 30 Divide both sides by 2: 10+X=15 10 + X = 15 Subtract 10 from both sides to solve for X X : X=5 X = 5

Therefore, the solution to the problem is X=5 X = 5 .

3

Final Answer

5

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Property: Parallelogram opposite sides are equal and parallel
  • Formula: Perimeter = 2(AB + AC) = 2(10 + X)
  • Check: Verify: 2(10 + 5) = 2(15) = 30 matches given perimeter ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Adding all four sides instead of using the parallelogram formula
    Don't try to add AB + BC + CD + DA = 10 + X + 10 + X without recognizing the pattern! This makes the problem unnecessarily complicated and prone to errors. Always use the parallelogram property that opposite sides are equal, so Perimeter = 2(side1 + side2).

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Given the parallelogram:

444222AAABBBDDDCCC

Calculate the perimeter of the parallelogram.

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do we use 2(AB + AC) instead of adding all four sides?

+

In a parallelogram, opposite sides are equal! So AB = CD = 10 and AC = BD = X. Instead of writing 10 + X + 10 + X = 30, we simplify to 2(10 + X) = 30.

How do I know which sides are equal in the parallelogram?

+

Look at the diagram carefully! Opposite sides (across from each other) are always equal in a parallelogram. AB is opposite to CD, and AC is opposite to BD.

What if I get confused about which side is X?

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It doesn't matter which adjacent side you call X! Whether it's AC or AD, the calculation will be the same because we're finding the length of the shorter sides when one side is 10.

Can I solve this without the perimeter formula?

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You could set up the equation as AB + BC + CD + DA = 30, then substitute known values. But using Perimeter = 2(a + b) is much faster and less error-prone!

How do I check if X = 5 is correct?

+

Substitute back: If X = 5, then perimeter = 2(10+5)=2(15)=30 2(10 + 5) = 2(15) = 30 . Since this matches the given perimeter, X = 5 is correct!

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