SOLUTION: in an isosceles triangle,each of the equal sides measures 29 inches and the altitude drawn to the base measure 21 inches.find the length of the base

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Question 268259: in an isosceles triangle,each of the equal sides measures 29 inches and the altitude drawn to the base measure 21 inches.find the length of the base
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
I got the solution of one problem mixed up with another problem. Let's see if I can straighten this mess out
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in an isosceles triangle, each of the equal sides measures 29 inches and the altitude drawn to the base measure 21 inches.find the length of the base
:
We can use pythag: a^2 + b^2 = c^2, it consist of two equal right triangles
where
a = half the base
b = 21
c = 29
:
a^2 + 21^2 = 29^2
a^2 + 441 = 841
a^2 = 841 - 441
a^2 = 400
a =
a = 20 in is half the base
then 40 inches is the length of the base