Geometry - right angle - The Beat The GMAT Forum - Expert GMAT Help & MBA Admissions Advice

Geometry - right angle

Expert replies

vineetbatra: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 355; Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:42 pmFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 2 times

by vineetbatra » Sat Apr 03, 2010 11:12 am

I have a general question. If the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 5, can I assume that the other 2 sides are 3 & 4 (doesn't matter which one is base or height). Similary if I know one side is 3, can I assume other side is 4 and hypotenuse is 5.

Will appreciate a response.

Vineet

Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Sat Apr 03, 2010 11:12 am

eaakbari: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 435; Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 6:15 amFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 32 times

by eaakbari » Sat Apr 03, 2010 11:26 am

If you know any two sides then only can you assume the third. If you know 3 and 5, then definitely the other one is 4.

Ill give you an example
If you find one side 3, you cannot assume the rest to be 4 and 5
Another case may be (3,3,3root2) which is multiple of another common triplet 1,1,root2

Similarly for others
Hope that helps

harshavardhanc: Legendary Member; Posts: 526; Joined: Sat Feb 21, 2009 11:47 pm; Location: India; Thanked: 68 times; GMAT Score:680

by harshavardhanc » Sat Apr 03, 2010 11:41 am

eaakbari wrote:If you know any two sides then only can you assume the third. If you know 3 and 5, then definitely the other one is 4.

Ill give you an example
If you find one side 3, you cannot assume the rest to be 4 and 5
Another case may be (3,3,3root2) which is multiple of another common triplet 1,1,root2

Similarly for others
Hope that helps

Ditto !

I think unless until specified that measures of all the sides are integers, we cannot assume that the other two will be 3 and 4 when the hypotenuse is 5. If all the sides are integers, then yes, we can conclude that the triplet should be 5,4, and 3.

Regards,
Harsha

thephoenix: Legendary Member; Posts: 1560; Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2009 2:38 amFollowed by: 5 members; Thanked: 137 times

by thephoenix » Sat Apr 03, 2010 11:53 am

vineetbatra wrote:I have a general question. If the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 5, can I assume that the other 2 sides are 3 & 4 (doesn't matter which one is base or height). Similary if I know one side is 3, can I assume other side is 4 and hypotenuse is 5.

Will appreciate a response.

Vineet

as the angle changes with same hypotenuous the altitude and base changes
see diagram

Attachments

right angle.xls: (13.5 KiB) Downloaded 71 times

vineetbatra: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 355; Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2009 12:42 pmFollowed by: 1 member; Thanked: 2 times

by vineetbatra » Sat Apr 03, 2010 5:20 pm

Thanks guys, that makes sense.

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

559 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review