In triangle XYZ, XY = 8 cm, YZ = 6 cm and angle XYZ = 90°. A point W lies on XZ such that YW is perpendicular to XZ. Find the length of YW.
A3.6 cm
B4.8 cmCORRECT
C5.0 cm
D6.4 cm
GCEMathematicsPlane Geometry2019
AI
Toaster Teacher
Why the answer is B, and why the others tempt you.
First, XZ = √(8² + 6²) = √(64 + 36) = √100 = 10 cm. The area of triangle XYZ = ½ × 8 × 6 = 24 cm². Also, area = ½ × XZ × YW = ½ × 10 × YW. Setting equal: 5 × YW = 24, so YW = 24/5 = 4.8 cm.
Want this in Pidgin, Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa? Sign up free →
Practice more Mathematics questions
GCE Mathematics has thousands more questions like this — with Worked answers on every one.