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.
