SOLUTION: I need to find the altitude of the triangle 13 by 10 by 13 I have no idea how to do this.

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Question 90334This question is from textbook algebra
: I need to find the altitude of the triangle
13 by 10 by 13
I have no idea how to do this.
This question is from textbook algebra

Answer by Edwin McCravy(20055) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

I need to find the altitude of the triangle 
13 by 10 by 13 
I have no idea how to do this.

Here's the triangle:
 


Draw in the altitude, a, which divides the base (which
measures 10) into two parts measuring 5 each:



So now you have two congruent right triangles.  I'll split 
them apart for clarity:



With the right triangle on the left we can
use the Pythagorean theorem to find a:

c%5E2+=+a%5E2%2Bb%5E2

13%5E2+=+a%5E2%2B5%5E2

169+=+a%5E2%2B25

Subtract 25 from both sides

144+=+a%5E2

12+=+a

So the altitude of the original triangle is 12.

Edwin