Answer:
x = 16
Explanation:
△ABC ~ △ADE
20 / (3x + 8) = (x -1)/(x - 1 + 27)
20 / (3x + 8) = (x -1)/(x + 26)
Cross multiply
20(x + 26) = (3x + 8)(x - 1)
20x + 520 = 3x^2 + 8x - 3x - 8
20x + 520 = 3x^2 + 5x - 8
3x^2 - 15x = 528
x^2 - 5x = 176
x^2 -5x - 176 = 0
(x + 11)(x - 16) = 0
x + 11 = 0; x = -11
x - 16 =0; x = 16
x can't be a negative so answer is x = 16