Question

Work out the lengths of sides a and b.

Answer 1

Answer:

$a = 9.4$

$b = 12.0$

Step-by-step explanation:

Given

See attachment

Required

Determine the values of a and b

To solve for a, we consider the first triangle.

Using Pythagoras:

$a^2 = 8^2 + 5^2$

$a^2 = 64 + 25$

$a^2 = 89$

Take square root of both sides

$a = \sqrt{89$

$a = 9.4$ -- approximated

To solve for b, we consider the second triangle.

Using Pythagoras:

$17^2 = 12^2 + b^2$

$289 = 144 + b^2$

Collect Like Terms

$b^2 = 289 - 144$

$b^2 = 145$

Take square root of both sides

$b = \sqrt{145$

$b = 12.0$ --- approximated