Answer: x = 12
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Explanation:
The hexagon is broken up into 6 congruent or identical equilateral triangles. If we find the area of one triangle, then we multiply by 6 to get the area of the hexagon.
Going in reverse, we divide the hexagon's area by 6 to get the area of one equilateral triangle
We're told the hexagon has an area of [tex]18\sqrt{3}[/tex] square inches. Divide this by 6 and you should get the result [tex]3\sqrt{3}[/tex]. So each of the six equilateral triangles has area of [tex]3\sqrt{3}[/tex] square inches.
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Each triangle has a base of [tex]2(\sqrt{3})^{x/12}[/tex] and a height of [tex](\sqrt{3})^{x/6}[/tex]
The x/12 and x/6 are exponents.
Let [tex]b = 2(\sqrt{3})^{x/12}[/tex] and [tex]h = (\sqrt{3})^{x/6}[/tex] be the base and height respectively.
Also, let [tex]A = 3\sqrt{3}[/tex] be the area of the triangle
We can then solve for x like so:
[tex]A = 0.5*b*h\\\\3\sqrt{3} = 0.5*2(\sqrt{3})^{x/12}*(\sqrt{3})^{x/6}\\\\3*3^{1/2} = (\sqrt{3})^{x/12+x/6}\\\\3^1*3^{1/2} = (\sqrt{3})^{x/12+2x/12}\\\\3^{1+1/2} = (\sqrt{3})^{3x/12}\\\\3^{3/2} = (3^{1/2})^{x/4}\\\\3^{3/2} = 3^{(1/2)*(x/4)}\\\\3^{3/2} = 3^{x/8}\\\\[/tex]
Since the bases are equal to 3, this means the exponents must be equal as well (for both sides overall to be equal)
3/2 = x/8
3*8 = 2*x ... cross multiply
24 = 2x
2x = 24
x = 24/2
x = 12
