SOLUTION: An isosceles triangle has a base of 8 m. The length of the altitude to the base is 3 m. Find the lengths of the congruent sides.

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Question 256818: An isosceles triangle has a base of 8 m. The length of the altitude to the base is 3 m. Find the lengths of the congruent sides.
Answer by drk(1908) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First draw an isosceles triangle with base 8 and altitude 3. Notice we have two right triangles - each with legs of 3 and 4. Using Pythagorean theorem, we get
a%5E2+%2B+b%5E2+=+c%5E2
replacing with 3 and 4, we get
3%5E2+%2B+4%5E2+%2B+c%5E2
9+%2B+16+=+c%5E2
25+=+c%5E2
Now c = 5.
The congruent sides are 5.