Jeremiah uses bamboo rods to make the frame of a tailless kite. He ties three bamboo rods together to form a right triangle PQR. He then ties another rod from P that meets RQ at a right angle. Segment PS in the figure below represents this rod and it is 12 inches long. Which of the following could be the lengths of segments QS and SR? I really dont understand how to do this problem.. .

Question

Jeremiah uses bamboo rods to make the frame of a tailless kite. He ties three bamboo rods together to form a right triangle PQR. He then ties another rod from P that meets RQ at a right angle. Segment PS in the figure below represents this rod and it is 12 inches long. 
Which of the following could be the lengths of segments QS and SR?

I really dont understand how to do this problem.. >.<

anonymous · Answer

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anonymous · Answer

A) QS = 6 inches, SR = 24 inches 
B) QS = 2 inches, SR = 6 inches 
C) QS = 44 inches, SR = 100 inches 
D) QS = 12 inches, SR = 132 inches

ledah · Answer

since segment PS is 12 inches. the lengths for QS and SR will in a sense. Be longer or shorter. what do you think?

ledah · Answer

Actually no that was wrong. B is too small, D seems too big.

anonymous · Answer

Hmm.. let me think..

anonymous · Answer

Maybe A? Dont you have to use theorems? Geometry is confusing..

ledah · Answer

in a sense you do. You could use the Pythagorean theorem  which is $$a ^{2}+b ^{2}=c ^{2}$$ that is the most commonly used theorem

ledah · Answer

Here's what I think.

anonymous · Answer

Oh, but how would that work in this situation?

ledah · Answer

If you go with the larger lengths.. Those don't sound correct anyway.
But you wont go wrong choosing A or B.

anonymous · Answer

I see. A seems to be more correct. I'll choose that one. Thanks^_^

ledah · Answer

Alright. good luck on that question..