Carcass wrote:
In triangle ABC, the measure of angle B is 90°, the length of side AB is 4, and the length of side BC is x. If the length of hypotenuse AC is between 4 and 8, which of the following could be the value of x ?
Indicate \(all\) such values.
❑ 1
❑ 2
❑ 3
❑ 4
❑ 5
❑ 6
I would solve the question by testing each choice.
A) x = 1
The Pythagorean theorem tells us that 4² + 1² = hypotenuse²
Solve to get: Hypotenuse = √17
Since √17 is between 4 and 8, x COULD equal 1
B) x = 2
The Pythagorean theorem tells us that 4² + 2² = hypotenuse²
Solve to get: Hypotenuse = √20
Since √20 is between 4 and 8, x COULD equal 2
C) x = 3
The Pythagorean theorem tells us that 4² + 3² = hypotenuse²
Solve to get: Hypotenuse = √25
Since √25 is between 4 and 8, x COULD equal 3
D) x = 4
The Pythagorean theorem tells us that 4² + 4² = hypotenuse²
Solve to get: Hypotenuse = √32
Since √32 is between 4 and 8, x COULD equal 4
E) x = 5
The Pythagorean theorem tells us that 4² + 5² = hypotenuse²
Solve to get: Hypotenuse = √41
Since √41 is between 4 and 8, x COULD equal 5
F) x = 6
The Pythagorean theorem tells us that 4² + 6² = hypotenuse²
Solve to get: Hypotenuse = √52
Since √52 is between 4 and 8, x COULD equal 6
Answer: A, B, C, D, E and F