For quadrilateral ABCD to be a parallelogram, opposite sides must be equal in length. Therefore, we can set up the following equations based on the sides given:
- \( AB = CD \)
- \( BC = AD \)
Given:
- \( AB = 40x \)
- \( BC = 4 + 3y \)
- \( CD = 8x + 32 \)
- \( AD = 9y - 20 \)
Setting up the equations:
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From \( AB = CD \): \[ 40x = 8x + 32 \] Simplifying this gives: \[ 40x - 8x = 32 \implies 32x = 32 \implies x = 1 \]
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From \( BC = AD \): \[ 4 + 3y = 9y - 20 \] Rearranging gives: \[ 4 + 20 = 9y - 3y \implies 24 = 6y \implies y = 4 \]
Now we have \( x = 1 \) and \( y = 4 \).
Therefore, Erik can be sure that his quadrilateral ABCD is a parallelogram when \( x = 1 \) and \( y = 4 \).
Looking at the provided answer choices, the correct answer is:
- x equals 1 and y equals 4.