TRIGONOMETRY

Question

PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM

Right angle triangle:

C=25

A=x

B=4x

.

My textbook says x=6.06 but I think it's wrong, please explain how I work this out. 

I know the formula is A^2=C^2-B^2

thanks. 

 

Answer 1

The book uses C as the symbol for the hypotenuse.

 

C² = A² + B² 

 

25² = x² + (4x)²

 

625 = x² + 16x² = 17x²

 

625 = 17x²

 

x = √(625/17) ≅ 6.06

 

The book answer is correct.

Answer 2

Hi Nick, 

 

Start like this:

 

(4x)² + x² = 25²

 

You should reach 17x² = 625. See if you can solve that for x (divide both sides by 17, then take square root of both sides).