Question

What is the length of DF? Round to the nearest hundredth.

Answer 1

Answer:

7.06

Step-by-step explanation:

This triangle can be solved a couple of ways. In the end, they amount to the same thing.

1) The area is ...

A = 1/2bh = 1/2(8)(15) = 60 . . . using DG as the base

Using GE as the base, the height (DF) is ...

A = (1/2)(17)(DF)

2(60)/17 = DF = 120/17

DF ≈ 7.06

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2) Using similar triangles, we can find the ratio of the long side to the hypotenuse as ...

(long side)/(hypotenuse) = DE/GE = DF/DG

DF = DG(DE/GE) = 8(15/17) = 120/17

DF ≈ 7.06