Question

Find the value of x in the triangle shown below

Answer 1

a

Explanation:

For this question we need to use the Pythogorean Theorem as we know its a right angle and are missing a side.

The Pythogorean Theorem is
`a^(2) + b^(2) = c^(2)`, where a and b are any side other than the hypothenuse, the longest line, and c is the hypothenue.

So, plug in the values and you get
`7^(2) + 2^(2) = x^(2)`

`7^(2) + 2^(2) = 4 + 49 = 53`

So now we just find the square root, which as it isn't a square number we can just leave it as it is, as a surd, so the answer is 'a'.

Answer 2

x = √53

Explanation:

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

7^2 + 2^2 = x^2

49 + 4 = 53

√53