Question

What is the length of segment AB in the triangle shown below?

Answer 1

Given:

BC = 8 inches

AC = 17 inches

Let's solve for length of segment AB.

To solve for AB, apply Pythagorean theorem.

We have:

`AC^2=BC^2+AB^2`

Now, rewrite the equation for AB:

`AB^2=AC^2-BC^2`

Plug in the values:

`\begin{gathered} AB^2=17^2-8^2 \\ \\ AB^2=289-64 \\ \\ AB^2=225 \end{gathered}`

Take the square root of both sides:

`\begin{gathered} √(AB^2)=√(225) \\ \\ AB=15 \end{gathered}`

Therefore, the length of AB is 15 inches.

ANSWER:

15 inches