In right triangle ABC, ∠C=90∘. Median ¯AM has a length of 1, and median ¯BN has a length of 1. What is the length of the hypotenuse of the triangle?
We can use the great pythaogrean theorem to our advantage.
First off, let's set some variables.
Let's let BC = a and AC = b.
Now, using pythagoras, let's right some equations. We have
¯AM=√b2+(a2)2=12√4b2+a2 since AM is the median and we also have
¯BN=√a2+(b2)2=12√4a2+b2 since BN is also the median of the triangle.
Now, we're trying to isolate a^2+b^2 because that's how we find the hypotenuse of the triangle.
Thus, we now have
4b2+a2=224a2+b2=22
Now, adding the two equations up with each other and dividing both sides by 5, we find that
a2+b2=4+45=8/5
So the hypotenuse is that square rooted, which is √85
So √85 is our final answer.
Thanks! :)