Question

in the diagram below bc is an altitude of triangle abd to the nearest whole unit what is the length of cd?
a 29
b 26
c 21
d 24

Answer 1

This is what it looks like, right?

Answer 2

To answer your question, I need a measurement on BC or one of the angles. Do you have one?

Answer 3

Oh here this is actually it! :)

Answer 4

Ok, good, I see what you're doing now. The two triangles are within each other. I'm guessing you're in Geometry?

Answer 5

Do you know how to find angles using sides? (SOH-CAH-TOA)

Answer 6

yeah Iam! :) no how do you do that?

Answer 7

Okay, what have you been taught or how do you think you should figure this out? (If you haven't been taught that yet I don't want to show you now since your teacher will later, but if you want to know now I can explain)

Answer 8

Do you do the bxh= ans. divided by 2?

Answer 9

bh/2=Area of the triangle

Answer 10

Let DC=x. Since the triangles are all similar (I assert that. It's true, but I leave it to you to prove if you think it required.) we can set up a proportion\[\frac{37}{53}=\frac{x}{37} \implies x=\frac{37^2}{53} \approx 26\]