Chapter 8.2, Problem 2WE

To determine

To Find: Find the value of x from the given figure.

Answer to Problem 2WE

The required value of x is $x=13$

Explanation of Solution

Given information: We have given a figure as shown below

  

From Pythagorean Theorem we know that in a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the legs.

The given triangle is right triangle.

Therefore,

  $\begin{array}{l}{12}^2+5^2=x^2\\ 144+25=x^2\\ 169=x^2\end{array}$

Taking square root we get

  $\begin{array}{c}x=\pm \sqrt{169}\\ =\pm 13\end{array}$

Since square root is a positive quantity so we neglect negative sign.

Therefore, the required value of x is $x=13$