32x+5 = 3x - 3
Solving exponential equations

x = - 8/29

Step-by-step explanation:

32x + 5 = 3x - 3

Collect like terms

32x - 3x = -5 - 3

29x = -8

Divide both sides by 29 to get x

29x/29 = -8/29

x = - 8/29

A property from geometry states that rectangles have congruent opposite sides. Thus, no matter which diagonal Reggie cuts, it still has the same lengths. Since it's a rectangle and we cut from corner to corner, we create a right triangle. See the picture below:

12 inches

7 |

i |

n |

Because it's a rectangle, it won't matter which corner we cut. But if we fold at the cut lines, we would make an in the rectangle's center.

The cut line and two sides make a right triangle. One leg is 12, one leg is 7, and we need to find the third side. The Pythagorean Theorem - sum of the squares of the legs equals the square of the hypotenuse - is applied.

Let S = the length of the side from corner to corner

S² = 12² + 7²

S² = 144 + 49

S² = 193

S = √193 or -√193

Because we are dealing with lengths, we only want positive numbers. -√193 is not used. Thus S = √193

S = √193 = 13.8924439894

S = 18.92 (rounded to two places)

Thus, Reggie will cut 18.92 inches of paper.