document.write( "Question 1096782: Find the length of the altitude to the base of an isosceles triangle which has congruent legs of length 25 cm and a base of length 14 cm \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #711188 by rothauserc(4718)\"\" \"About 
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An isosceles triangle has two sides of equal length and the altitude drawn to the
\n" ); document.write( "base bisects the triangle's base
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\n" ); document.write( "let s be the length of one of the equal sides, a be the length of the altitude and b be the length of the triangle's base then use Pythagorean theorem for a right triangle
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\n" ); document.write( "a^2 + (b/2)^2 = s^2
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\n" ); document.write( "we are given, s = 25 and b = 14
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\n" ); document.write( "a^2 + (14/2)^2 = 25^2
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\n" ); document.write( "a^2 + 49 = 625
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\n" ); document.write( "a^2 = 576
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\n" ); document.write( "a = 24 or -24
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\n" ); document.write( "we reject the negative value for a
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\n" ); document.write( "the isosceles triangle's altitude is 24 cm
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