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WAEC Mathematics 1999 Question 49

Question 49

Triangles and Quadrilaterals

The sides of a right-angle triangle, in ascending order of magnitude are 8cm, (x − 2) cm and x cm. Find x.

  1. A.16
  2. B.17
  3. C.34
  4. D.90.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B (17)

Explanation

By Pythagoras, 82 + (x − 2)2 = x2: 64 + x2 − 4x + 4 = x2, so 4x = 68 and x = 17.