42.7k views
2 votes
Using Pythagoras' theorem, calculate the length of YZ.

Give your answer in centimetres (cm) to 1 d.p.
9 cm
17 cm
Z
Not drawn accurately

User Lkemitchll
by
9.0k points

1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

Certainly! To solve for the length of \(YZ\) using Pythagoras' theorem, we'll use the formula \(c^2 = a^2 + b^2\), where \(c\) is the hypotenuse (opposite the right angle) and \(a\) and \(b\) are the other two sides.

Given that the length of one side is \(9 \, \text{cm}\), and the length of the hypotenuse (Z) is \(17 \, \text{cm}\), let's denote the length of \(YZ\) as \(x\) (in centimeters).

So, applying Pythagoras' theorem:

\[17^2 = 9^2 + x^2\]

\[289 = 81 + x^2\]

\[x^2 = 289 - 81\]

\[x^2 = 208\]

To find \(x\), we take the square root of both sides:

\[x = \sqrt{208}\]

\[x \approx 14.4 \, \text{cm}\]

Therefore, the length of \(YZ\) is approximately \(14.4 \, \text{cm}\) to 1 decimal place when rounded.

User Lusketeer
by
8.2k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories