Question

Find the missing length indicated

Answer 1

Answer:

x = 240

Step-by-step explanation:

Using the Altitude- on- Hypotenuse theorem

(leg of large triangle)² = ( part of hypotenuse below it) × (whole hypotenuse)

x² = 144 × 400 = 57600 ( take the square root of both sides )

x = $\sqrt{57600}$ = 240

Answer 2

x = 240

Using Pythagoras' theorem on the 3 triangles of sides (as shown in the graphic - the 2 smaller inner triangles and the large main triangle) it can be shown that the height is the square root of the product of both segments of the baseline.

let's call the 2 segments p and q.

p+q = 400

p = 144

q = 400 - 144 = 256

so, as said before, height = sqrt(p×q) = sqrt(144×256) = 192

now the main Pythagoras with the smallest triangle to get x

x² = 192² + 144² = 36864 + 20736 = 57600

x = 240

now, FYI, why is that formula true ?

as we said, we called the segments of the long baseline p and q.

then we can the sides of the main triangle x and y.

and the height is simply h.

so, then we have for the main rectangular triangle

(p+q)² = x² + y²

and for the 2 smaller triangles

x² = p² + h²

y² = q² + h²

=>

p² +2pq + q² = p² + h² + q² + h²

2pq = 2h²

h² = pq

h = sqrt(pq)

and there you have it. just as simple as that.