Question

What is the value of X? show all of your work

Answer 1

x = 5 cm

Explanation:

Use the Pythagorean theorem:

`AB^2+BC^2=AC^2`

We have

`AB=8\ cm,\ BC=x\ cm,\ AC=√(89)\ cm`

Substitute:

`8^2+x^2=(√(89))^2\qquad\text{use}\ (√(a))^2=a\ \text{for}\ a\geq0\\\\64+x^2=89\qquad\text{subtract 64 from both sides}\\\\x^2=25\to x=√(25)\\\\x=5\ cm`