SOLUTION: Find the length of X. Express in simplified radical form. I will try to draw this out so it makes it easier: - -

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Question 68052: Find the length of X. Express in simplified radical form.
I will try to draw this out so it makes it easier:
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51ft - - X
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45 ft
How do I go about solving this type of equation? Thank you so very much!

Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Find the length of X. Express in simplified radical form.
I will try to draw this out so it makes it easier:
-
- -
- -
- -
51ft - - X
- -
- -----
- - -
----------------------------------
45 ft
How do I go about solving this type of equation? Thank you so very much!
:
I assume this is a right triangle, one side is 45 ft, hypotenuse is 51,
The problem is to find the other side (x)
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You should know the Pythagorean Theorem: a^2 + b^2 = c^2
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In your problem a = 45 and c = 51, b = x so we have this equation:
45^2 + x^2 = 51^2
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2025 + x^2 = 2601; squared the numbers
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x^2 = 2601 - 2035; subtract 2025 from both sides
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x^2 = 576
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x = Sqrt(576)
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x = 24 ft
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Check: 45^2 + 24^2 = 2601 which is 51^2