Question

What is the length of WY?

Select the best answer from the choices provided.
OA. 3.46
OB. 4
OC. 4.58
OD. 10

Answer 1

just a quick additon to "georgepahno"'s great posting above.

Check the picture below.

when running a line, in a right-triangle, from the 90° angle perpendicular to its opposite side, we will end up with three similar triangles, one Small, one Medium and a containing Large one.

`\cfrac{WY}{3}=\cfrac{4}{WY}\implies (WY)(WY)=(3)(4)\implies WY^2=12 \\\\\\ WY=√(12)\implies WY\approx 3.46`

Answer 2

If an altitude is drawn to the hypotenuse of a right triangle, then the altitude is the geometric mean between the segments on the hypotenuse.

3/WY = WY/4

(WY)² = 12

WY = 2√3 = 3.46

The correct answer is A.