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What is the value of x? If necessary express your answer in simplest radical form.

A. 18
B. 20
C.4✔️2
D. 4✔️3

What is the value of x? If necessary express your answer in simplest radical form-example-1
User RonTheOld
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2 Answers

12 votes
The correct answer is a.18
User David Mason
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11 votes

Answer:

B, 20

Explanation:

The Pythagorean Theorem states that the two shortest lengths in a right triangle (in our case, 12 and 16), is equal to the longest length in a right triangle (c). So,

a²+b²=c²

Substitute 12 and 16 for a and b, our side lengths

12²+16²=c²

144+256=400

400=c²

Square root both c and 400, which gives us...

20=c

So, the value of x is 20.

User Sixrandanes
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