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Find the value of x in the isosceles triangle shown below.

Answer choices

A) x= square root of 81
B)x=10
C)x=12
D)x=5

Find the value of x in the isosceles triangle shown below. Answer choices A) x= square-example-1

1 Answer

5 votes

Answer: B. x=10

Explanation:

Concept

- If it is an isosceles triangle, then the altitude would also be the median of the base, meaning that it divides the base evenly.

- We are going to use the Pythagorean theorem which is a²+b²=c², where [a] and [b] are legs, and [c] is the hypotenuse.

Given

Hypotenuse (relative) = √74

Altitude (one leg) = 7

The other leg (half of the base) = x/2

Solve

a² + b² = c²

(7)² + (x/2)² = (√74)²

49 + x²/4 = 74

x²/4 = 25

x² = 100

x = 10

Hope this helps!! :)

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User DrJones
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