WAEC - Mathematics (2005 - No. 15)
The lengths of the adjacent sides of a right - angled triangle are xcm, (x-1)cm. If the length of the hypotenuse is \(\sqrt{13}cm\), find the value of x
2
3
4
5
Explanation
\(x^2+(x-1)^2 = (\sqrt{13})^2 \Rightarrow x^2 + x^2 - 2x + 1 = 13\\
2x^2 - 2x - 12 = 0\) dividing through by 2
\(x^2 - x- 6 = 0; (x-3)(x-2) = 0 \Rightarrow x = 3 or -2 \)
2x^2 - 2x - 12 = 0\) dividing through by 2
\(x^2 - x- 6 = 0; (x-3)(x-2) = 0 \Rightarrow x = 3 or -2 \)
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