Question

Find the value of x in the isosceles triangle shown below.

Answer 1

Answer:

x=4

Explanation:

since it is an isosceles triangle, line x splits the base into 2 equal parts.

using a smaller triangle we know the sides are 5,3,x

now use Pythagorean theorem

$5=\sqrt{x^{2} +3^{2} }$

$x=\sqrt{5^{2}-3^{2} }$

x = $\sqrt{16}$

x = 4, -4

since length cannot be negative, x = 4