Question

What is the value of a?
5 units
5 1/3 units
6 2/3 units
7 units

Answer 1

The answer is 5 1/3 units.

Answer 2

`a=5(1)/(3) \ units`

Explanation:

In this problem we have to use the altitude theorem in a right triangle, because the segment in it, it's an altitude.

This theorem states that:
`h^(2)=pq`

Where
`h` is the altitude,
`p` one of the parts of the divided side by the altitude, and
`q` is the other part.

Applying this theorem, we have:

`4^(2)=3a\\a=(16)/(3)\\ a=5(1)/(3) \ units`

Therefore, the right answer is the second option.