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How do you solve this problem??​

How do you solve this problem??​-example-1

1 Answer

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Answer: x = 64

Explanation:

First, order each of the three right triangles by the lengths of the sides. Each triangle has a small (s) leg, a medium (m) leg, and a hypotenuse (h). You can determine their order visually.

Left Δ: s = 36 m = unknown h = 60

Right Δ: s = unknown m = x h = unknown

Big Δ: s = 60 m = unknown h = 36 + x

Next, notice that you can set up a proportion with the Left and Big triangles using the s and h. We can't use m because it has two unknowns.


(s)/(h):\quad (36)/(60)=(60)/(36+x)

Cross multiply and solve for x:

36(36 + x) = 60(60)

1296 + 36x = 3600

36x = 2304

x = 64

User Rwols
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