112k views
3 votes
A triangle has 2 sides that equal 5 inches. The other side equals 4 inches

1 Answer

3 votes

Answer:

Isosceles triangle

Explanation:

It is assumed that the triangle is a right angle triangle, implying that Pythagoras theorem becomes applicable.

If the first side is represented by x and the second side by y,

x + y = 5

The hypotenuse is always the longest side hence it can be presumed to be 4 since both x and y cannot be more than 5.

Therefore using pythagoras equation:

hyp^2 = sqrt(opp^2 + adj^2)

this implies that


4^(2) = √(x) (x^(2) +y^(2)

therefore

16 = sqrt (x^2 + y^2) ----------------- (i)

since x + y = 5, y = 5 - x ------------------- (ii)

substituting (ii) into eqn (i)

16 = sqrt ( x^2 + (5-X)^2)

16 = sqrt( x^2 + 25 -10x + x^2)

16 = sqrt( x^2 + x^2 - 10x + 25)

16 = sqrt( 2x^2 - 10x + 25)

squaring both sides

256 = 2x^2 - 10x + 25

this can be refined as

2x^2 - 10x - 231 = 0

Solving using quadratic equation:

where a = 2, b = -10 and c = -231

x = 13.53 or -8.53.

Since x is a side of a triangle that cannot be negative,

x = 13.53 but x can never be greater than 5 since x + y = 5

This implies that the triangle is not a right angle triangle; it is most likely an isosceles triangle with two sides of equal length such that x = y = 2.5 inches while the longest side; the hypotenuse is 4 inches.

substituting for x in

User Sterling
by
8.2k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories