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10. What is BD? Show work to support your answer.

10. What is BD? Show work to support your answer.-example-1
User Garnet
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1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

BD = 8

Explanation:

To solve this, you need to use Pythagorean theorem which states that the sum of the squares on the legs of a right triangle is equal to the square on the hypotenuse.

For △ABC, AC (4+16) is the hypotenuse

=> AC^2 = AB^2 + BC^2

For △ABD, AB is the hypotenuse

=> AB^2 = AD^2 + BD^2

For △BCD, BC is the hypotenuse

=> BC^2 = BD^2 + CD^2

Therefore

AC^2 = AB^2 + BC^2

AC^2 = (AD^2 + BD^2) + (BD^2 + CD^2)

20^2 = 4^2 + BD^2 + BD^2 + 16^2

400 - 16 - 256 = 2BD^2

BD^2 = 128/2 = 64

BD = √64 = 8

User Susie Derkins
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