Solve for X in Right Triangle: Given Area 22.5 and Side X+6

Right Triangle Areas with Algebraic Sides

Calculate X using the data in the figure below.

A=22.5A=22.5A=22.5X+6X+6X+6555AAABBBCCC

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1

Understand the problem

Calculate X using the data in the figure below.

A=22.5A=22.5A=22.5X+6X+6X+6555AAABBBCCC

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we need to determine X X using the triangle area formula. Let's break it down step-by-step:

  • Step 1: The area of a triangle ΔABC \Delta ABC is given by: Area=12×base×height \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height}
  • Step 2: We substitute the given values where the base is (X+6) (X + 6) and the height is 5 5 : 22.5=12×(X+6)×5 22.5 = \frac{1}{2} \times (X + 6) \times 5
  • Step 3: Simplify the equation: 22.5=12×5×(X+6) 22.5 = \frac{1}{2} \times 5 \times (X + 6)
  • Step 4: Multiply out the constants: 22.5=52×(X+6) 22.5 = \frac{5}{2} \times (X + 6)
  • Step 5: Clear the fraction by multiplying both sides by 2: 45=5×(X+6) 45 = 5 \times (X + 6)
  • Step 6: Divide both sides by 5: 9=X+6 9 = X + 6
  • Step 7: Solve for X X : X=96=3 X = 9 - 6 = 3

Therefore, the solution to the problem is X=3 X = 3 .

3

Final Answer

3

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Formula: Area of triangle equals one-half base times height
  • Technique: Substitute known values: 22.5 = ½ × (X + 6) × 5
  • Check: Verify X = 3: ½ × (3 + 6) × 5 = 22.5 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Forgetting to multiply by ½ in the area formula
    Don't use Area = base × height = wrong result twice as large! This ignores the triangle area formula completely. Always multiply by ½ since triangles have half the area of rectangles with the same base and height.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Angle A is equal to 30°.
Angle B is equal to 60°.
Angle C is equal to 90°.

Can these angles form a triangle?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do we use ½ in the triangle area formula?

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A triangle has half the area of a rectangle with the same base and height. The formula Area=12×base×height \text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height} accounts for this relationship.

How do I know which sides are the base and height?

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In a right triangle, the base and height are the two sides that form the right angle (90°). The third side is the hypotenuse and isn't used in the area formula.

What if I get a negative value for X?

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Check your algebra! In geometry problems, side lengths are always positive. A negative result usually means an error in your calculations or setup.

Can I solve this without using the area formula?

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No - the area is the only given information that connects the unknown side X+6 with the known side 5. Without the area formula, you can't create an equation to solve.

Why is the answer X = 3 and not X = 9?

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Be careful with your final step! We found that X+6=9 X + 6 = 9 , so X=96=3 X = 9 - 6 = 3 . The side length is X+6 = 9, but X itself equals 3.

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