Question

The base of an isosceles triangle is 30” and the altitude to that base is 8”. Find the length of one of

the two equal sides of the triangle.

please help!

Answer 1

17"

Explanation:

Isosceles means there are two equal sides in this triangle.

So the height not only is perpendicular to the base, but also cuts the base in half.

Each half is 15 inches. (30÷2=15) See image.

These half triangles formed by the height, are right triangles. You can use Pythagorean theorem or if you're familiar with the pythagorean triple 8, 15, 17, you will find the length of the side is 17 inches. See image.