SOLUTION: the question is: given a right triangle with a perimeter of 60 and an altitude to the hypotnuse with a length of 12 what is the length of each side? i tried a lot using substitu

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: the question is: given a right triangle with a perimeter of 60 and an altitude to the hypotnuse with a length of 12 what is the length of each side? i tried a lot using substitu      Log On


   



Question 374530: the question is: given a right triangle with a perimeter of 60 and an altitude to the hypotnuse with a length of 12 what is the length of each side?
i tried a lot using substitution its just too complicated i need an explanation too plz asap

Answer by robertb(5830) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A suggestion: Let x = the unknown leg, and y = the hypotenuse. Then
from the perimeter condition, x+y+12 = 60, or x+y = 48, or y = 48 - x.
From the right-triangle condition, use the Pythagorean identity : 12%5E2+%2B+x%5E2+=+y%5E2.
Substituting, we get 144+%2B+x%5E2+=+%2848-x%29%5E2. Now see if there will be any progress...