Question

What is the value of x?

Answer 1

x = 5√7

Explanation:

By pythagoras theorem,

(hypotenuse)² = (altitude)² + (base)²

(hyp)² - (base)² = (alt)²

(16)² - (9)² = x²

256 - 81 = x²

x² = 175

x = √175

x = 5√7

hope this helps you!

Answer 2

x = 5
`√(7)`

Explanation:

Using Pythagoras' identity in the right triangle.

The square on the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares on the other 2 sides, that is

x² + 9² = 16²

x² + 81 = 256 ( subtract 81 from both sides )

x² = 175 ( take the square root of both sides )

x =
`√(175)` = 5
`√(7)` ≈ 13.23 units ( to 2 dec. places )