CD

is an altitude in right triangle ABC. The hypotenuse is 9 inches long, and

¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯

AD

is 5 inches long as shown below.



What is the value of a?



7.5 inches

6.7 inches

6 inches

3 inches

CD is an altitude in right triangle ABC The hypotenuse is 9 inches long and AD is 5 inches long as shown belowWhat is the value of a75 inches67 inches6 inches3 class=

Respuesta :

Answer:

a = 6 in

Step-by-step explanation:

Using Pythagoras' Theorem [tex]a^2+b^2=c^2[/tex], where a and b are the legs, and c is the hypotenuse of a right triangle.

[tex]a^2+b^2=9^2[/tex]

[tex]5^2+DC^2=b^2[/tex]

[tex]4^2+DC^2=a^2[/tex]

[tex]\implies 4^2+DC^2+5^2+DC^2=9^2[/tex]

[tex]\implies 2 \ DC^2 =40[/tex]

[tex]\implies DC^2=20[/tex]

If  [tex]a^2=4^2+DC^2=16+20=36[/tex]

[tex]\implies a=\sqrt{36} =6[/tex]