Answer
$x = 5$
Work Step by Step
We have a right triangle with the altitutde dividing the triangle into two smaller triangles; therefore, these three triangles are all similar to one another.
If these triangles are similar, then their corresponding sides are proportional.
We are given either values or expressions for the lengths of the two legs of the big triangle and the lengths of the two legs of a smaller triangle. Let's set up a proportion to find the value of $x$:
$\frac{x}{x + 5} = \frac{x + 5}{20}$
Cross multiply to get rid of the fractions:
$(x + 5)(x + 5) = (20)(x)$
Distribute to simplify:
$x^2 + 5x + 5x + 25 = 20x$
Move all terms to the left side of the equation:
$x^2 + 5x + 5x - 20x + 25 = 0$
Combine like terms:
$x^2 - 10x + 25 = 0$
Factor the quadratic equation:
$(x - 5)(x - 5) = 0$
Set each factor equal to $0$:
$x - 5 = 0$
Add to solve for $x$:
$x = 5$
