Question

A right triangle is shown below.
Х
4
8.5
What is the value of x? Enter your value as a decimal rounded to the nearest tenth,

Answer 1

Answer: x = 7.5

Step-by-step explanation:

Use the Pythagorean Theorem ( $a^{2}+b^{2} =c^{2}$ )

The longest side is c = the hypotenuse, and a and b = the other sides of the triangle.

a = 4                              First: $4^{2}+x^{2}=8.5^{2}$

b = x                         Second: $16+x^{2}=72.25$  

c = 8.5                          Third: $x^{2}=56.25$

                                  Fourth: $x=\sqrt{56.25}$

                                      Fifth: x = 7.5