Question

The triangle below is equilateral. Find the length of side x in simplest radical form

with a rational denominator.
12

Answer 1

4sqrt(3)

Explanation:

If the triangle is equilateral, the hypotenuse is 2x

We can use the Pythagorean theorem

a^2 + b^2 = c^2 where a and b are the legs and c is the hypotenuse

x^2 + 12^2 = (2x)^2

x^2 + 144 = 4x^2

144 = 4x^2 -x^2

144 = 3x^2

48 = x^2

Taking the square root of each side

sqrt(48) = sqrt(x^2)

sqrt(16*3) = x

4 sqrt(3) =x