Question

Hi someone please help me I'm not sure how to do thissss

If the longer base of triangle XYZ is three times the length of the shorter base, a, what is the length of the hypotenuse in terms of the shorter base?

Answer 1

Answer: The length of the hypotenuse is √(10)*a

Explanation:

Remember the Pythagorean theorem.

If b is the larger base, and a the shorter base, and H is the hypotenuse:

a^2 + b^2 = H^2

now, we know that b = 3*a.

(3*a)^2 + a^2 = H^2

10*a^2 = H^2

√(10)*a = H

Then we have the length of the hypotenuse in terms of the shorter base, B.