Question

in triangle ABC, segment BD is an altitude.

What is the length in units of segment BD?

Answer 1

It is kind of complicated - do u see 2 small triangles; combining together to form 1 big triangle? All 3 have a right angle...

Answer 2

Is angle ABC a right angle?

Answer 3

@nikato i figure it must be in order for the q to be solvable.

Answer 4

I don't think it has to be

Answer 5

I dont think its solvable if its not

Answer 6

Yes, similar triangle?

Answer 7

or just use a^2 + b^2 = c^2...3 times ;)

Answer 8

YES!

Answer 9

<ABC is a right angle

Answer 10

i forgot to add it in

Answer 11

So the altitude is the geometric mean of the 2 segments it forms on the hypotenuse

Answer 12

In other words, BD= sqrt of 3x1

Answer 13

@nikato go ahead - it will be confusing if i post my solution along w urs :)

Answer 14

Oh okay and you cant further simplify sqrt 3 or would it be a decimal

Answer 15

That's it. U can't simplify it further

Answer 16

okay thank you

Answer 17

U want to look at @superdavesuper solution? I think u can post it now. There's actually a lot of way to solve it, but this is the fastest

Answer 18

nah ur way is fine @nikato