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Expert: - 6/10/2010


Question

Geometry Problem
Hello sir, and good evening.  My name is Charles, and I am an 8th grade student taking Honors Geometry.  I need help with one problem that I've been trying to work out all week, but an answer or a way to solve the problem has simply been elusive to me.  I was hoping that you could help me.  
Best Regards,
Charles McCullough

PS:  Thanks in advance!  The problem is the attached image, I drew it then scanned it into my computer!

Answer
Hi Charles,
Consider the the triangles; ABC, BCD and ABD using the Pythagoras' Theorem.
For ABC,
x² + 4² = (AB)²
For BCD,
x² + 16² = (BD)²
Now in ABD,
(AB)² + (BD)² = 20²
(x² + 4²) + (x² + 16²) = 20²
2x² + 16 + 256 = 400
2x² = 128
x² = 64
x = 8

Regards  

Ahmed Salami

Expertise

I can provide good answers to questions dealing in almost all of mathematics especially from A`Level downwards. I can as well help a good deal in Physics with most emphasis directed towards mechanics.

Experience

An engineering graduate. I have been doing maths and physics all my life.

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