Question

How do i find x? pls step by step

Answer 1

`x = 100`

Explanation:

When an altitude is drawn on a right triangle, all of the resulting triangles are similar. This means that the ratio of their side lengths is the same.

Applying this to the problem at hand, we know that:

the ratio of 36 to 48

must be the same as

the ratio of 48 to (x - 36).

In equation form, we can solve for
`x`:

`(36)/(48) = (48)/(x-36)`

↓ simplifying the fraction on the left side

`(3)/(4) = (48)/(x-36)`

↓ cross-multiplying

`3(x - 36) = 4(48)`

↓ simplifying using the distributive property

`3x - 108 = 192`

↓ adding 108 to both sides

`3x = 300`

↓ dividing both sides by 3

`\boxed{x = 100}`