SOLUTION: In triangle ABC, length AB=32, length BC=10, and length AC=26. If line segment CH is the altitude to segment AB and segment CM is the median to AB, compute the length of line segme

Algebra ->  Trigonometry-basics -> SOLUTION: In triangle ABC, length AB=32, length BC=10, and length AC=26. If line segment CH is the altitude to segment AB and segment CM is the median to AB, compute the length of line segme      Log On


   



Question 1114027: In triangle ABC, length AB=32, length BC=10, and length AC=26. If line segment CH is the altitude to segment AB and segment CM is the median to AB, compute the length of line segment HM.
Found 2 solutions by ikleyn, greenestamps:
Answer by ikleyn(52786) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
1.  Using the Heron's formula, calculate the area  S  of the triangle ABC.

    The side lengths are given.


2.  Next step find the length of the altitude CH from equation  %281%2F2%29%2Aabs%28AB%29%2Aabs%28CH%29 = S.


3.  Consider right-angled triangle AHC.  In it, you know AC = 26. 

    In section 2 you just also found the length  |CH|.

    So you can find the leg  |AH|.


3.  Now you know  |AM|  (it is 16 units, half of  |AB|).

    You also know  |AH|.


    The difference  |AB|  minus  |AH|  is the length  |MH|  under the question.

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If you do, then refer please to the problem ID number 1114027.

Otherwise I will not know to whom to answer . . .


Answer by greenestamps(13200) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


(1) Use Heron's formula to find the area of the triangle.

A+=+sqrt%2834%2A2%2A8%2A24%29+=+16%2Asqrt%2851%29

(2) Use the area of the triangle and the length of AB to find the length of CH.

16%2Asqrt%2851%29+=+%281%2F2%29%2832%29%28CH%29
CH+=+sqrt%2851%29

(3) Use the lengths of CH and CB to find the length of BH.

BH%5E2+=+10%5E2-%28sqrt%2851%29%29%5E2+=+49
BH+=+7

(4) Use the lengths of BM and BH to find th length of HM.

7%2BHM+=+16
HM+=+9