Question

Solve for x. Round to the nearest tenth, if necessary.

Answer 1

Answer:

3.5

Step-by-step explanation:

The angles in this triangle add up to 180 degrees, so the other angle is 45 degrees

you can either use the fact that it is a 45-45-90 triangle or some trig to solve; I prefer trig:

sin(theta) = opposite / hypotenuse

sin(45) = 2.5 / x

x = 2.5 / sin(45)

x = 3.5

if you want to use the 45-45-90 identity, you know that the other side is also going to be 2.5, and the hypotenuse will be the side length * square root of 2

x = 2.5 * square root (2)

x = 3.5

now to check your answer, use Pythagorean identity:

x^2 = a^2 + b^2

x = square root (a^2 + b^2)

x = square root (2.5^2 + 2.5^2)

x = 3.5

I hope it makes sense, leave a comment if I should go into more detail :)