Question

Analyze the diagram below and complete the instructions that

Find the value of x and the value of y.

A. x=15, y=10√3

B. x 20, y=10√3

C. x=20√3 y=5√3

D. x =15, y = 5√3

Answer 1

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Answer:

D. x = 15; y = 5√3

Explanation:

You don't need to know any trig to select the correct answer. You only need to know that the lengths of both sides must be less than the length of the hypotenuse. It is also helpful to know that √3 is about 1.732, so 10√3 ≈ 17.32.

Since x < 10√3, only answer choices A and D are viable.

Since y < 10√3, only answer choice D is viable.

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If you want to solve this using trig relations, you can recall that the sides of a 30°-60°-90° triangle have the ratios 1 : √3 : 2. This means short side y is half the length of the hypotenuse 10√3, so y = 5√3. It also means longer side x is √3 times y, so is x = (5√3)√3 = 5·3 = 15.

x = 15; y = 5√3