Answer: x ≅ 15.95
Step-by-step explanation:
Use the pythagorean theorem for right triangles x^2 + y^2 = s^2
6^2 = 36
8^2 = 64
(x - 5)^2 requires FOIL. Unfortunately Im going to do this on paper. Its essentially First Outside Inside Last. i got x^2 - 10x + 25
Lets now add 36 and 84 and make it equal to the trinomial we just got.
[tex]120=x^2-10x+25[/tex]
Now lets subtract 120 from both sides to get:
[tex]0=x^2-10x-95[/tex]
You could complete the square, I think. But im going to use the quadratic formula. [tex]\frac{-b +/- \sqrt{b^2-4ac} }{2a}[/tex]Im going to calculate this on paper for simplicity's sake. Im getting an answer of about [tex]\frac{10(+/-)21.909}{2}[/tex]
Solve by adding and then solve by subtracting to get x ≅ 15.95 and x = -5.95. We cant have a negative side length so we can disregard that negative answer.
