Question

Given the right triangle below what is x?

Answer 1

Answer:

B 10.8 or

A 9.2 depending on what side of the triangle is "x".

Step-by-step explanation:

we cannot see the triangle and which side is which. you forgot to show us the picture (or describe it in more detail).

but I assume that "x" would be the Hypotenuse (the baseline of the right triangle, the side opposite of the 90 degree angle).

then by using Pythagoras

c² = a² + b²

=>

x² = 10² + 4² = 116

x = sqrt(116) = 10.8

but if x is any of the other sides (and not the Hypotenuse), then you need to adapt the calculation.

for example, if the Hypotenuse is the side with 10, then Pythagoras' formula would look like this

10² = x² + 4²

x² = 10² - 4² = 84

x = sqrt(84) = 9.2 (and answer A would be correct).

or if the Hypotenuse is the side with 4, then

4² = x² + 10²

x² = 4² - 10² = -84

x = sqrt(-84)

and that did not make any sense for real distances. so, this configuration is actually impossible for a right triangle.