SOLUTION: The figure below is an isosceles triangle. The altitude is 5 inches and the congruent sides are 8 inches. Find the length of the base to the nearest tenth of an inch. Show all work

Algebra ->  Triangles -> SOLUTION: The figure below is an isosceles triangle. The altitude is 5 inches and the congruent sides are 8 inches. Find the length of the base to the nearest tenth of an inch. Show all work      Log On


   

Question 548013: The figure below is an isosceles triangle. The altitude is 5 inches and the congruent sides are 8 inches. Find the length of the base to the nearest tenth of an inch. Show all work and explanations.
I really dont understand this please help!
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The figure below is an isosceles triangle.
The altitude is 5 inches and the congruent sides are 8 inches.
Find the length of the base to the nearest tenth of an inch.
:
we can use pythag, a^2 + b^2 = c^2
a = 5
b = 1%2F2 the base
c = 8
:
5^2 + b^2 = 8^2
25 + b^2 = 64
b^2 = 64 - 25
b^2 = 39
b = sqrt%2839%29
b = 6.245 * 12.5 inches is the base