<p>This is from the SAT Prep Booklet 2008-2009 by the College Board. Section 6, number 18:</p>
<p>In the figure</a> above, PQRS is a rectangle. The area of triangle RST is 7 and PT = 2/5 PS. What is the area of PQRS?</p>
<p>I just can't figure it out. I read the College Board's answer explanation, and I don't get it. Help.</p>
<p>hint: make PS = X, and RS = Y
make 2 equations. solve.</p>
<p>Wow. Thanks. I just got the right answer. It's not even as complex as I thought it would be. Thaaaanks!</p>
<p>I still don't really get this question, could someone explain :/</p>
<p>This is a really simple problem.
If PT = 2/5 of PS
Then TS = 3/5 of PS
You are given that the area of triangle RST is 7.
bh/2 = Area of a Triangle
(3PS/5)H/2 = 7
H = 70/3PS
PS * 70/3PS = 70/3 (The Answer)</p>
<p>Yup I got this wrong too. Now what seems like the right thing to do it to make two equations, and plug something in. </p>
<p>soo if PS= x and RS= y like ren said</p>
<p>(3/5x * y)/2=7 so </p>
<p>3/5x * y = 14</p>
<p>oh wow. So if were solving for xy (area) then all you have to do is multiple both sides by 5/3 and you get the answer. I honestly cant believe it was that simple</p>
<p>^you could simply draw a line perpendicular to PS from point T
So the area of the new rectangle will be 7*2=14
Therefore 3/5 of total area =14
Total area =70/3
This way u could solve without making any equations.</p>
<p>o lol >< ty guys</p>
<p>ivy- thats what i did when i first took this test but for some reason i just never got the right answer. but yeah nice observation. math questions become ridiculously easy once you notice just one thing</p>
<p>i like ivy's method better. less algebra :0</p>
<p>yeah its not a bad approach either~</p>
<p>There's a ridiculous number of ways to solve this problem... I took the 3 minute long raw algebra approach. I hope i spot shortcuts in time on saturday lol.</p>
