Question

In right triangle ABC, if AC = 5/13 and AB = 1, what is the length of BC?

Answer 1

BC =
`(12)/(13)`

Explanation:

Using Pythagoras' identity in the right triangle

BC² + AC² = AB²

BC² + (
`(5)/(13)` )² = 1²

BC² +
`(25)/(169)` = 1 ( subtract
`(25)/(169)` from both sides )

BC² =
`(169)/(169)` -
`(25)/(169)` =
`(144)/(169)` ( take square root of both sides )

BC =
`\sqrt{(144)/(169) }` =
`(12)/(13)`