Question

15.

enuse AC
Find the
In the accompanying diagram of right triangle RST,
altitude TP is drawn to hypotenuse RS. If TP = 6
and RP is 5 less than PS, find the length of
hypotenuse RS. [Only an algebraic solution will
be accepted.]

Someone help me please

Answer 1

13

Explanation:

Let PS = x and RP = x-5

Using Pythagorean theorem on the two smaller rt triangles formed,

6^2 + x^2 = (ST)^2

6^2 + (x-5)^2 = (RT)^2

Now use Pythag on big triangle and sub in above values:

(2x-5)^2 = 6^2 + x^2 + 6^2 + (x-5)^2

Multiply out and simplify to

x^2 - 5x -36 = 0

Factor the quadratic: ((x-9)(x+4)=0 Therefore x=9 or x=-4. We may disregard the negative answer so x = 9. So PS is 9 and RP is 4.

Therefore entire hypotenuse is 4 + 9 or 13.