Question

The right triangle has a big square with an area of 73 sq. units . What could the area of the small squares be .

Answer 1

9514 1404 393

Answer:

  E.  40 and 33

Step-by-step explanation:

The Pythagorean theorem tells you the sum of the areas of the smaller squares will match the area of the largest square.

The answer choices have sums of ...

  A: 76; B: 73; C: 96; D: 66; E: 73

So, choices with the correct sum are B and E.

If this question asks you to "choose all that apply," then B & E will be your answer choices.

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We note that the areas of the smaller squares appear to be not much different in size. If their areas were 23 and 50, the smaller square would be less than half the size of the larger one. So, if the figure is drawn approximately to scale, the choice of 40 and 33 is a better choice.