BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
Live EA class + 6 months of EA OnDemand
  • Expert-led weekly online sessions
  • EA Masterclass access between classes
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

130-point score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

GMAT Prep Question

Expert replies
by okigbo » Fri Sep 11, 2009 6:41 pm
The perimeter of a certain isosceles right triangle is 16+16sq.rt2. What is the length of the hypotenuse of the triangle?

a. 8
b. 16
c. 4sq.rt2
d. 8sq.rt2
e. 16sq.rt2

I know that the equation is x+x+x(sq.rt.2)=16+16sq.rt2

But the math gets too complicated and I cant see an end in sight at the 90 sec mark. Can someone shed some light on how to tackle this problem?

Thanks.
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by DanaJ » Sat Sep 12, 2009 12:17 am
You have correctly written the equation.

2x + x*(sqrt2) = 16 + 16*(sqrt2)

x[2 + (sqrt2)] = 16[1 + (sqrt2)] --- divide both sides by 2 + (sqrt2) to get that x will be the following fraction:

16[1 + (sqrt2)]
---------------
2 + (sqrt2)

Now, what we do when we have a square root at the denominator is we multiply both the denominator and the numerator with the denominator's "opposite". In this case, 2 + (sqrt2) will have 2 - (sqrt2) as its opposite.

So the above fraction will be equal to:

16[1 + (sqrt2)][2 - (sqrt2)]
----------------------------
[2 + (sqrt2)][2 - (sqrt2)]

You may be wondering why we would do such a thing. Well, fact is we eliminate the square root from the denominator:
[2 + (sqrt2)][2 - (sqrt2)] = 2^2 - (sqrt2)^2 = 2
This happens because of the very important formula of (a + b)(a - b) = a^2 - b^2.

You can also do the calculations of the numerator:
16[1 + (sqrt2)][2 - (sqrt2)] = 16[2 - (sqrt2) + 2(sqrt2) - 2] = 16*(sqrt2)


So in the very end your fraction will be:

16(sqrt2)
--------
2

Which will of course be 8(sqrt2).
Join the discussion