SOLUTION: I am not certain if I need to use the a^ +b^ =c and then use a radical expression to reduce.
One side of a rectangular stage is
2 meters longer than the other. If the diagonal is
Algebra ->
Pythagorean-theorem
-> SOLUTION: I am not certain if I need to use the a^ +b^ =c and then use a radical expression to reduce.
One side of a rectangular stage is
2 meters longer than the other. If the diagonal is
Log On
Question 161189: I am not certain if I need to use the a^ +b^ =c and then use a radical expression to reduce.
One side of a rectangular stage is
2 meters longer than the other. If the diagonal is 10 meters,
then what are the lengths of the sides?
Thank you,
Tracy
You can put this solution on YOUR website! One side of a rectangular stage is 2 meters longer than the other.
If the diagonal is 10 meters, then what are the lengths of the sides?
:
Actually it's:
a^2 + b^2 = c^2
:
In this problem call one side x:
Let x = a
then
(x+2) = b
and
c = 10
:
Substituting in our formula:
x^2 + (x+2)^2 = 10^2
:
FOIL (x+2)(x+2)
x^2 + (x^2 + 4x + 4) = 100
:
Combine like terms, arrange as a quadratic equation
x^2 + x^2 + 4x + 4 - 100 = 0
2x^2 + 4x - 96 = 0
:
Factor
(2x - 12)(x + 8) = 0
;
We want the positive solution here
2x = 12
x = 6 meters is the 1st side
then
6 + 2 = 8 meters is the 2nd side
:
:
We can check that: 6^2 + 8^2 = 10^2
:
Was this understandable? Any questions?
