According to the diagram, what is the altitude?

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Answer 1 · 2018-02-12T20:52:59

300 meters

Use the Pythagorean Theorem, #a^2 + b^2=c^2#

In his case, you know a and c and need to find b . The names of the sides is really immaterial, but c is always the hypotenuse (the longest side).

So, #400^2 + b^2 = 500^2#

Then, #160000+b^2=250000#

#b^2=250000-160000#

#b^2=90000#

Then #b=+-sqrt90000=300m#

Note that the answer has to be positive because it's a distance.

Answer 2 · 2018-02-12T21:04:15

The altitude is 300 m.

if you name the triangle as ABC, where #/_A=90^@#, then

By applying Pythagoras theorem,

#("height")^2 +("base")^2=("hypotenuse")^2#

#("height")^2=("hypotenuse")^2-("base")^2#

or,

#("height")^2=(500)^2-(400)^2#

Thus,

#"height" = sqrt(250000-160000)#

#"height" = sqrt(90000) =color(red)("300 m")#