Answer:
5.7
Step-by-step explanation:
The altitude divides right triangle ABC into similar right triangles ADB and BDC. The ratios of short leg to long leg will be proportional in these similar triangles, so you have ...
AD/BD = BD/CD
Cross multiplying gives ...
AD·CD = BD²
(x+3)(2x+3) = 5²
2x² +9x = 16 . . . . . perform the multiplication, subtract 9
2(x² +4.5x) = 16
2(x² +4.5x +2.25²) = 16 +2(2.25²) . . . . . add 2(2.25²) to complete the square
2(x +2.25)² = 26.125 . . . . . write as a square
x +2.25 = √13.0625 . . . . . .divide by 2, take the positive square root
x = -2.25 +√13.0625 . . . . subtract 2.25 to find x
We want the value of CD, so ...
CD = 2x +3 = 2(-2.25 +√13.0625) +3
CD = -1.5 +2√13.0625 ≈ 5.7284
The length of CD is about 5.7 units.
