Question

In right triangle ABC, altitude CD with lengthhis drawn to its hypotenuse. We also knowAD = 12 and DB= 3. What is the value of h?

Answer 1

Using the properties of similarity of two triangles

For triangle BCA, let B be the given angle, the opposite is |AC|, Hypotenues is |AB| and Adjacent is |BC|

For triangle BCD, B is the given angle, The opposite is |CD|=h, the hypotenuse is |CB| and Adjacent is |BD|

Comparing the ratios of the side, we have