document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=149657>Question 149657</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> the altitude drawn to the hypotenuse of a right triangle divides the hypotenuse into two segments, whose lengths are 8 inches and 18 inches. how long is the altitude???\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "thank you ! </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #109981 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=scott8148><B>scott8148(6628)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=scott8148><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=scott8148><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=109981\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> the two smaller triangles created by the altitude are similar to the original triangle (and each other)\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "using the similarity ratios, the altitude is the geometric mean of the two segments\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "8/a=a/18 __ \"cross\" multiplying __ a^2=144 __ taking square root __ a=12 </SPAN>\n" );
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