document.write( "Question 973973: A triangle ABC with ∠ABC = 90 has length of the side AB = 72 and length of BC = 54. What is the length of the perpendicular line from side AC to point B? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #596002 by Edwin McCravy(20056) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!

\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "Let BD be the perpendicular line from side AC to point B.\r\n" );
document.write( "By definition BD is the altitude drawn to the hypotenuse.\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "We use the theorem:\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "The altitude to the hypotenuse of a right triangle is the mean \r\n" );
document.write( "proportional between the segments into which it divides the hypotenuse. \r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "In other words,\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "Cross-multiply:\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( " \r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( " \r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( " \r\n" );
document.write( "\r\n" );
document.write( "Edwin

\n" ); document.write( "

\n" );