SOLUTION: An equilateral triangle has sides 16 inches in length. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find its height. Explain your computations

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Question 429878: An equilateral triangle has sides 16 inches in length. Use the Pythagorean Theorem to find its height. Explain your computations
Answer by richard1234(7193) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Since the triangle is equilateral, the altitude cuts the base into two congruent segments of length 8. By the Pythagorean theorem,

h%5E2+=+16%5E2+-+8%5E2+=+192

h+=+sqrt%28192%29+=+8sqrt%283%29.