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The perimeter of an equilateral triangle is 27 centimeters. Find the altitude of the triangle

User Mlowton
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1 Answer

4 votes
7.79cm It is an equilateral triangle so it has 3 equal sides. That means each side is 9cm.
Now draw a line from the top of the equilateral triangle to the base, and dividing it into two. You will have made two smaller triangles, with sides 9, 4.5, and h (the one you want to find).

A line drawn from the apex of an equilateral triangle to the midpoint of the base is perpendicular to the base, so you can use Pythagoras' Theorem!

4.5^2 + h^2 = 9^2
h = sqrt(9^2 - 4.5^2)
Therefore, the height is 7.79cm (2 decimal places)
User Kevin Heidt
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6.7k points
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