SOLUTION: find x rounded to one decimal point. assume a=6 Picture of triangle below http://www.webassign.net/sprecalc6/6-2-044-alt.gif

Algebra ->  Pythagorean-theorem -> SOLUTION: find x rounded to one decimal point. assume a=6 Picture of triangle below http://www.webassign.net/sprecalc6/6-2-044-alt.gif      Log On


   

Question 753467: find x rounded to one decimal point. assume a=6

Picture of triangle below
http://www.webassign.net/sprecalc6/6-2-044-alt.gif
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The picture shows enough information to indicate the smaller right triangle. a is the longer leg of this small triangle and x is the hypotenuse of this small triangle.

Although I do not remember the official theorem, this smaller right triangle is also a 30-60-90 right triangle, similar to the main right triangle.

The other leg of this small right triangle is x%2F2 in length.
a%5E2%2B%28x%2F2%29%5E2=x%5E2 directly according to pythagorean theorem
x%5E2%2F4-x%5E2=-a%5E2
x%5E2-x%5E2%2F4=a%5E2
%281-1%2F4%29x%5E2=a%5E2
x%5E2=%284%2F3%29a%5E2
x=2a%2Fsqrt%283%29
highlight%28x=%282%2F3%29a%2Asqrt%283%29%29 and you can substitute a=6 and evaluate x.