Question

O Work out the length of x.

Give your answer rounded to 3 significant figures.
12.4 mm
8.6 mm
X

Answer 1

8.9mm

Explanation:

To solve for x, we use the Pythagoras theorem.

Pythagoras theorem states that in a right angled triangle, the square of the Hypotenus is equal to the sum of the square of the other two sides.

The Hypotenus is the longest side, or the side facing the right angle.

From the question above,

`12.4 {}^(2) = \: 8.6 {}^(2) + x {}^(2) \\ \\ 153.76 \: = 73.96 \: + x {}^(2) \\ \\ collecting \: liketerms \\ \\ x { \: }^(2) = 153.76 - 73.93 \\ = 79.83 \\ \\ squareroot \: bothsides \\ \\ \sqrt{x {}^(2) } = √(79.83) \\ \\ x = 8.9`