SOLUTION: The perimeter of an equilateral triangle is 18. Find the measure of the altitude.

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Question 87816: The perimeter of an equilateral triangle is 18. Find the measure of the altitude.
Answer by checkley75(3666) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
AN EQUILATERAL TRIANGLE HAS THREE EQUAL SIDES. tHUS 18/3=6 IS THE LENGTH OF EACH SIDE.
THE ALTITUDE CUTS THE BASE IN HALF SO NOW WE HAVE A RIGHT TRIANGLE WITH THE BASE=3 & THE HYPOTENUSE=6.
NOW WE SOLVE FOR THE ALTITUDE.
3^2+A^2=6^2
9+A^2=36
A^2=36-9
A^2=36-9
A^2=27
A=SQRT27
A=5.196 ANSWER.