SAT Math : How to find the length of the side of a right triangle

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Right Triangle

A right triangle has one side equal to 5 and its hypotenuse equal to 14. Its third side is equal to:

Possible Answers:

171

9

14.87

12

13.07

Correct answer:

13.07

Explanation:

The Pythagorean Theorem gives us a2 + b2 = c2 for a right triangle, where c is the hypotenuse and a and b are the smaller sides. Here a is equal to 5 and c is equal to 14, so b2 = 142 – 52 = 171. Therefore b is equal to the square root of 171 or approximately 13.07.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Right Triangle

Which of the following could NOT be the lengths of the sides of a right triangle?

Possible Answers:

14, 48, 50

5, 7, 10

12, 16, 20

8, 15, 17

5, 12, 13

Correct answer:

5, 7, 10

Explanation:

We use the Pythagorean Theorem and we calculate that 25 + 49 is not equal to 100.
All of the other answer choices observe the theorem a2 + b2 = c2

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Right Triangle

Which set of sides could make a right triangle?

Possible Answers:

6, 7, 8

10, 12, 16

9, 12, 15

4, 6, 9

Correct answer:

9, 12, 15

Explanation:

By virtue of the Pythagorean Theorem, in a right triangle the sum of the squares of the smaller two sides equals the square of the largest side. Only 9, 12, and 15 fit this rule.

Example Question #1 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Right Triangle

A right triangle with a base of 12 and hypotenuse of 15 is shown below. Find x.

Screen_shot_2013-03-18_at_10.29.39_pm

Possible Answers:

4

5

5.5

4.5

3.5

Correct answer:

4

Explanation:

Using the Pythagorean Theorem, the height of the right triangle is found to be = √(〖15〗–〖12〗2) = 9, so x=9 – 5=4

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Right Triangle

A right triangle has sides of 36 and 39(hypotenuse).  Find the length of the third side

Possible Answers:

12 √6

33√2

15

42

33

Correct answer:

15

Explanation:

use the pythagorean theorem:

a2 + b2 = c2  ; a and b are sides, c is the hypotenuse

a2 + 1296 = 1521

a2 = 225

a = 15

Example Question #3 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Right Triangle

Bob the Helicopter is at 30,000 ft. above sea level, and as viewed on a map his airport is 40,000 ft. away. If Bob travels in a straight line to his airport at 250 feet per second, how many minutes will it take him to arrive?

Possible Answers:

4 hours and 0 minutes

3 minutes and 50 seconds

2 hours and 30 minutes

3 minutes and 20 seconds

1 hour and 45 minutes

Correct answer:

3 minutes and 20 seconds

Explanation:

Draw a right triangle with a height of 30,000 ft. and a base of 40,000 ft. The hypotenuse, or distance travelled, is then 50,000ft using the Pythagorean Theorem. Then dividing distance by speed will give us time, which is 200 seconds, or 3 minutes and 20 seconds.

Example Question #4 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Right Triangle

A right triangle has two sides, 9 and x, and a hypotenuse of 15. What is x?

Possible Answers:

14

12

13

10

11

Correct answer:

12

Explanation:

We can use the Pythagorean Theorem to solve for x.

92 + x2 = 152

81 + x2 = 225

x2 = 144

x = 12

Example Question #5 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Right Triangle

The area of a right traingle is 42. One of the legs has a length of 12. What is the length of the other leg?

Possible Answers:

6

7

11

9

5

Correct answer:

7

Explanation:

Area= \frac{1}{2}\times base\times height

42=\frac{1}{2}\times base\times 12

42=6\times base

base=7

Example Question #6 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Right Triangle

Solve for x.

Possible Answers:

2

6

12

7

Correct answer:

6

Explanation:

Use the Pythagorean Theorem. Let a = 8 and = 10 (because it is the hypotenuse)

\small a^2+x^2=c^2

\small 8^2+x^2=10^2

\small 64+x^2=100

\small x^2=100-64=36

\small x=6

Example Question #2 : How To Find The Length Of The Side Of A Right Triangle

Solve each problem and decide which is the best of the choices given.

 

If , what is ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

This is a  triangle. We can find the value of the other leg by using the Pythagorean Theorem.

Remembering that

.

Thus,

.

If , you know the adjacent side is .

Thus, making

 because tangent is opposite/adjacent.

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