+0  
 
+2
1221
1
avatar+45 

For what value of a is there a right triangle with sides a+1, 6a, and 6a+1?

 Aug 11, 2018

Best Answer 

 #1
avatar+33603 
+3

Use Pythagoras:  (a+1)2 + (6a)2 = (6a+1)2

 

a2 + 2a + 1 + (6a)2 = (6a)2 + 12a + 1

 

a2 -10a =0 

 

a = 0 or a = 10.

 

Since we can’t have a triangle with length 0 (6a), we must have a = 10.

 Aug 11, 2018
 #1
avatar+33603 
+3
Best Answer

Use Pythagoras:  (a+1)2 + (6a)2 = (6a+1)2

 

a2 + 2a + 1 + (6a)2 = (6a)2 + 12a + 1

 

a2 -10a =0 

 

a = 0 or a = 10.

 

Since we can’t have a triangle with length 0 (6a), we must have a = 10.

Alan Aug 11, 2018

1 Online Users