Question

In triangle △JKL, ∠JKL is a right angle, and KM is an altitude. JL=25 and JM=5, find KM.

a) 20 units
b) 15 units
c) 10 units
d) 5 units

Answer 1

To find the length of KM in triangle JKL, we can use the Pythagorean Theorem. Using this theorem, we can calculate that KM is approximately 24.5 units.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the length of KM, we can use the Pythagorean Theorem, which states that in a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.

In this case, KM is the altitude, which is perpendicular to the base JL. So, KM is one of the legs of the right triangle △JKL.

Using the Pythagorean Theorem, we have KM² = JL² - JM² = 25² - 5² = 600. Taking the square root of both sides, we find KM ≈ √600 ≈ 24.5 units.