SAT Math : How to find the perimeter of a right triangle

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SAT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 :How To Find The Perimeter Of A Right Triangle

Three points in the xy-coordinate system form a triangle.

The points are.

What is the perimeter of the triangle?

Possible Answers:

9 + \sqrt{41}

9 + \sqrt{26}

9 + \sqrt{71}

Correct answer:

9 + \sqrt{41}

Explanation:

Drawing points gives sides of a right triangle of 4, 5, and an unknown hypotenuse.

Using the pythagorean theorem we find that the hypotenuse is\sqrt{41}.

Example Question #1 :How To Find The Perimeter Of A Right Triangle

Triangle

Based on the information given above, what is the perimeter of triangle ABC?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Triangle-solution

Consult the diagram above while reading the solution. Because of what we know about supplementary angles, we can fill in the inner values of the triangle. Angles A and B can be found by the following reductions:

A + 120 = 180; A = 60

B + 150 = 180; B = 30

Since we know A + B + C = 180 and have the values of A and B, we know:

60 + 30 + C = 180; C = 90

This gives us a 30:60:90 triangle. Now, since 17.5 is across from the 30° angle, we know that the other two sides will have to be √3 and 2 times 17.5; therefore, our perimeter will be as follows:

Example Question #1 :How To Find The Perimeter Of A Right Triangle

Right triangle 7

Give the perimeter of the provided triangle.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The figure shows a right triangle. The acute angles of a right triangle have measures whose sum is, so

Substitutingfor:

This makesa 45-45-90 triangle.

By the 45-45-90 Triangle Theorem, legsandare of the same length, so

.

Also by the 45-45-90 Triangle Theorem, the length of hypotenuseis equal to that of legmultiplied by. Therefore,

.

The perimeter of the triangle is

Example Question #2 :How To Find The Perimeter Of A Right Triangle

Right triangle 7

What is the perimeter of the triangle above?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The figure shows a right triangle. The acute angles of a right triangle have measures whose sum is, so

Substitutingfor:

This makesa 45-45-90 triangle. By the 45-45-90 Triangle Theorem, the length of legis equal to that of hypotenuse, the length of which is 12, divided by. Therefore,

Rationalize the denominator by multiplying both halves of the fraction by:

By the same reasoning,.

The perimeter of the triangle is

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