Online Course Discussion Forum

Math Challenge 1A Geo -- #s 5.25a & b

 
 
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Math Challenge 1A Geo -- #s 5.25a & b
by Kathy Liu - Saturday, October 14, 2017, 7:08 PM
 

I don't understand how to figure out 5.25 a's altitude and short side and I don't get part b. 

 
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Re: Math Challenge 1A Geo -- #s 5.25a & b
by David Reynoso - Monday, October 16, 2017, 11:15 AM
 

Note that the problem is talking about a isosceles right triangles. So this is one of the special triangles with angles 45-45-90. Remember the sides of a triangle like this are in ratio $1:1:\sqrt{2}$. Also, the altitude that comes from the $90^\circ$ angle gives you some similar triangles that you can work with as well.