Math

Question Find the lengths of the shorter sides of a 45°-45°-90° triangle with longest side 8. Exact answer.

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

Assumptions1. The triangle is a 45459045^{\circ}-45^{\circ}-90^{\circ} triangle. . The longest side (hypotenuse) is8.
3. We are looking for the lengths of the other two sides.

STEP 2

In a 45459045^{\circ}-45^{\circ}-90^{\circ} triangle, the sides opposite the 4545^{\circ} angles are equal in length. Let's denote this length as aa. The side opposite the 9090^{\circ} angle (the hypotenuse) is 2\sqrt{2} times the length of each of the other sides. We can write this relationship asHypotenuse=a2Hypotenuse = a \cdot \sqrt{2}

STEP 3

Now, plug in the given value for the hypotenuse to find the length of the other sides.
8=a28 = a \cdot \sqrt{2}

STEP 4

To solve for aa, divide both sides of the equation by 2\sqrt{2}.
a=82a = \frac{8}{\sqrt{2}}

STEP 5

Rationalize the denominator by multiplying the numerator and the denominator by 2\sqrt{2}.
a=822a = \frac{8 \cdot \sqrt{2}}{2}

STEP 6

implify the right side of the equation to find the length of the other sides.
a=42a =4\sqrt{2}Both shorter sides of the triangle are 424\sqrt{2} units long.

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