SOLUTION: Find the length x in each triangle. Express your answer in simplified radical form. long side is 12 x is the straight side 8 is the bottom of the triangle x2 = 122 + 8

Algebra ->  Radicals -> SOLUTION: Find the length x in each triangle. Express your answer in simplified radical form. long side is 12 x is the straight side 8 is the bottom of the triangle x2 = 122 + 8      Log On


   

Question 41011: Find the length x in each triangle. Express your answer in simplified radical form.
long side is 12
x is the straight side
8 is the bottom of the triangle
x2 = 122 + 82
= 144 + 64
= 208
This is completely wrong! where am I failing? I believe I am using the wrong formula. Help me.
Answer by mszlmb(115) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Find the length x in each triangle. Express your answer in simplified radical form.
long side is 12
x is the straight side
8 is the bottom of the triangle
x%5E2+=+12%5E2+%2B+8%5E2
= 144 + 64
= 208
Yip, but it's only wrong because the long side =shortest*middle. so 12%5E2=x%5E2%2B8%5E2
.:144=x%5E2%2B64 minus 64 on both sides
80=x%5E2 now square root both sides
sqrt%2880%29=X
simplify the radical
80-->2*2*2*2*5, or 16(5); and 16 is a perfect square of 4. therefore,
sqrt%2880%29=sqrt%285%2A16%29=4sqrt%285%29 Otherwise, you would have been completely right.