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li asked in Science & MathematicsMathematics · 1 month ago

Find the side length of a triangle with an altitude of 30 yards?

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  • 1 month ago
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    You left out the word "equilateral".

    If you draw in the altitude, you form a pair of 30-60-90 right triangles. The ratios in this special triangle are:

    (short leg) : (hypotenuse) : (long leg) = 1 : 2 : √3

    In your case the long leg is the altitude and you want the hypotenuse which is a side.

    (hypotenuse) : (long leg) = (side) : (altitude) = 2 / √3

    The side is unknown (s) but the altitude is 30, so using proportions:

    s/30 = 2/√3

    Multiply both sides by 30:

    s = 60/√3

    But then rationalize the denominator by multiplying by √3/√3

    s = (60 * √3) / (√3 * √3)

    s = 60√3 / 3

    s = 20√3

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