Answer:
[tex] \displaystyle A _{XYZ - \text{triangle}} = 24 {cm}^{2} [/tex]
Step-by-step explanation:
we have two right angle triangles
we want to figure out the area of XYZ triangle
we are given the base not the altitude (height) so we need to figure the height of XYZ to figure out the area of XYZ
in that case we can use Pythagoras theorem given by
[tex] \displaystyle {a}^{2} + {b}^{2} = {c}^{2} [/tex]
given that, c=5 and b=3 thus
substitute:
[tex] \displaystyle {3}^{2} + {a}^{2} = {5}^{2} [/tex]
simplify squares:
[tex] \displaystyle 9 + {a}^{2} = 25[/tex]
cancel 9 from both sides:
[tex] \displaystyle {a}^{2} = 16[/tex]
square root both sides:
[tex] \displaystyle {a}^{} = 4[/tex]
we have figured out the height of XYZ triangle
remember that,
[tex] \displaystyle A _{ \text{triangle}} = \frac{1}{2} bh[/tex]
we have h=4 and b=9+3=12
substitute:
[tex] \displaystyle A _{ \text{triangle}} = \frac{1}{2} \times 12\times 4[/tex]
reduce fraction:
[tex] \displaystyle A _{ \text{triangle}} = 12\times 2[/tex]
simplify multiplication:
[tex] \displaystyle A _{ \text{triangle}} = 24[/tex]
hence,
the area of triangle XYZ is 24 cm²
