Geometry and TrigonometryHardAltitude to the hypotenuse
Geometry and Trigonometry practice question
A right triangle has legs of length 9 and 12. What is the length of the altitude drawn to the hypotenuse?
Answer: 7.2 or 36/5
The hypotenuse is 15. The area is (1/2)(9)(12) = 54, and also (1/2)(15)(h), so h = 108/15 = 7.2.
Common wrong answers
- If you answered 6
- 6 comes from 9 × 12 ÷ 18.
- If you answered 10.5
- 10.5 averages the legs.
- If you answered 7.5
- 7.5 halves the hypotenuse.
More Geometry and Trigonometry questions
- Hard
In a right triangle, one leg is 5 and the hypotenuse is 13. What is the length of the other leg? - Hard
A circle has a radius of 4. What is the length of an arc that subtends a central angle of 90°? - Hard
A circle is defined by the equation (x − 3)² + (y + 2)² = 25. What is the radius of the circle? - Hard
What is 135° expressed in radians? - Hard
What is the length of segment PT? - Hard
What is the measure, in degrees, of the central angle of this sector?
Not affiliated with the College Board. SAT is a trademark of the College Board.