document.write( "Question 268259: in an isosceles triangle,each of the equal sides measures 29 inches and the altitude drawn to the base measure 21 inches.find the length of the base \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #196798 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
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I got the solution of one problem mixed up with another problem. Let's see if I can straighten this mess out
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\n" ); document.write( "in an isosceles triangle, each of the equal sides measures 29 inches and the altitude drawn to the base measure 21 inches.find the length of the base
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\n" ); document.write( "We can use pythag: a^2 + b^2 = c^2, it consist of two equal right triangles
\n" ); document.write( "where
\n" ); document.write( "a = half the base
\n" ); document.write( "b = 21
\n" ); document.write( "c = 29
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\n" ); document.write( "a^2 + 21^2 = 29^2
\n" ); document.write( "a^2 + 441 = 841
\n" ); document.write( "a^2 = 841 - 441
\n" ); document.write( "a^2 = 400
\n" ); document.write( "a = \"sqrt%28400%29\"
\n" ); document.write( "a = 20 in is half the base
\n" ); document.write( "then 40 inches is the length of the base
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