Question

PLEASE HELP!!!!

Given right triangle ABC with altitude BD drawn to hypotenuse AC. If AB=20 and AD=10, what is the length of AC?

Answer 1

mAC = 40

Explanation:

Use similar triangles,

BAC and DAB are similar

therefore

CA/AB = BA/AD

CA/20 = 20/10

cross multiply

AC = CA = 20*20/10 = 40

Or use metric relations

CA*AD = BA^2

CA = BA^2/AD = 20^2/10 = 40