Question

The diagram below shows a shaded parallelogram drawn inside a rectangle. Using Pythagoras, find the hypotenuse of triangle A and the hypotenuse of triangle B to 1 decimal place.

Answer 1

Answer: 5.9 cm for both triangles.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hi, since the situation forms 2 right triangles we have to apply the Pythagorean Theorem:  

c^2 = a^2 + b^2  

Where c is the hypotenuse of a triangle (the longest side of the triangle) and a and b are the other sides.  

Replacing with the values given:  

c^2 = 3^2 + 5^2  

c^2 = 9+25

c^2 = 34

c = √34

c = 5.9 cm

Since both triangles are identical ( same side lengths) the hypotenuse is the same for both, 5.9 cm.

Feel free to ask for more if needed or if you did not understand something.