CPhill

I can see why you're confused....this  sentence is  poorly  constructed

I  think  it  means  that

4  +  5x  =  2x  -  5     rearrange  as

5 + 4  =  2x  - 5x

9    =  -3x

9 / -3  =  x     =  -  3

(2x^5 y*8)^2                  2^2  * x^(5*2)  *  y^(8*2)                  4  x^10  y^16            4y^6

___________  =         _____________________  =         _____________  =     ______

(5x^6 y^5)^2                   5^2   * x^(6*2)  * y^(5*2)               25  x^12  y *10          25 x^2

I think it's correct, now....check me   !!!

Slight mistake....fix it in a sec

Let the angle formed by the triangle  at Canton =  C

And the angle formed  by the triangle at Naples =  90 - 44 = 46°

sin (46 ) /  680  =  sin C  / 545

545 * sin ( 46 )   /   680  =  sin C

arcsin ( 545 * sin (56)  /  680 )  = C  ≈  35.2°

Draw  a perpendicular from Elgin to the  base of  the triangle...call the point of intersection with  the  base, P

So let  the triangle   formed  by P , C   and  the angle formed by the perpendicular  at Elgin  be   PCE

So  angle   CEP  = 90   -   =  54.8°

This angle is  supplemental to 180

The suplemental angle is  125.2°

In terms of bearing, the  bearing  from Elgin to Canton = 360  -  125.2  = 234.8° ≈  235°

CORRECTED  !!!! 

I don't believe  the  series is correct  as written

The  common difference  between  the   first two terms =  -2y

But...the common difference  between second and third terms  = 4y

Terms in the  series =     (271  - 1)   /  6     +    1 = 270 / 6  +  1  =   45 + 1  =     46 terms 

Each  term can be expressed  as    ( 1 + 6n )      where n = 0,1,2,3.....43, 44,45

And each term  divided by 6 leaves a remainder of 1

So   summing all the remainders  we  get   46

And  46 /  6  =   7 * 6  +  4   =    remainder  of  4

Indianguy arrives  at  the answer  through using the  intersecting  Chord Theorem

The product  of the  segments of one chord  = the product of the segments of the other chord...so....

6 * 4   = 3 * x

24  /  3  =  x  =   8

28  +  3T     =  37       where T =  the  number  of trips

3T =  37  - 28

3T  =  9

T  =  9 / 3    =   3  trips

Calculate  the distance  between  the points

Square  this  value.....that's your area....let me  know if you get stuck.....

Hint : I think you should  get  58 as answer