Answer:
x = 18
y = 18
Explanation:
We are given a right triangle (notice the 90 degree angle), with one of the angles being 45°.
We also know that the hypotenuse (the side opposite of the 90° angle) is 18√2.
We want to find the value of x and y.
First, let's figure out what the value of the other angle is.
The angles in a triangle all add up to 180 degrees.
Let's call the value of the angle we don't know s.
s + 45 + 90 = 180
Add 45 and 90 together.
s + 135 = 180
Subtract 135 from both sides.
s = 45
So the value of the other angle is 45 degrees.
When a right triangle is a 45-45-90 triangle (the numbers referring to the measures of the degrees), there is actually something special about it; if the legs (the sides that make up the 90 degree angle) have the value a (they would both be congruent because a 45-45-90 triangle is isosceles), then the hypotenuse will be a√2.
Keeping this in mind, let's solve for a.
Set 18√2 equal to a√2.
18√2=a√2
Divide both sides by √2.
18 = a
The value of a, aka the legs is a.
Both x and y would be equal to a in this case.
Therefore, x = 18, and y = 18.