Question

Triangle A B C is shown. Angle A C B is a right angle. An altitude is drawn from point C to a point on side A B to form a right angle. The length of A B is 17 and the length of A C is 8. What is the length of Line segment B C? 9 units 11 units 15 units 16 units

Answer 1

The correct answer is C.15 units

Answer 2

`BC=15\ units`

Explanation:

see the attached figure to better understand the problem

In the right triangle ABC

Applying the Pythagorean Theorem

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

substitute the given values

`17^2=8^2+BC^2`

solve for BC

`BC^2=17^2-8^2`

`BC^2=225`

`BC=15\ units`