Answer:
x = 6√2 ≈ 8.5
Explanation:
You want the altitude that divides the hypotenuse of a right triangle into segments of lengths 3 and 24.
Altitude
The ratios of short leg to long leg of the similar right triangles in this figure are the same:
3/x = x/24
x² = 3·24 = 72
x = √72 = 6√2 ≈ 8.5
The value of x is 6√2, approximately 8.5.