Answer:
[tex]a = 9.4[/tex]
[tex]b = 12.0[/tex]
Step-by-step explanation:
Given
See attachment
Required
Determine the values of a and b
To solve for a, we consider the first triangle.
Using Pythagoras:
[tex]a^2 = 8^2 + 5^2[/tex]
[tex]a^2 = 64 + 25[/tex]
[tex]a^2 = 89[/tex]
Take square root of both sides
[tex]a = \sqrt{89[/tex]
[tex]a = 9.4[/tex] -- approximated
To solve for b, we consider the second triangle.
Using Pythagoras:
[tex]17^2 = 12^2 + b^2[/tex]
[tex]289 = 144 + b^2[/tex]
Collect Like Terms
[tex]b^2 = 289 - 144[/tex]
[tex]b^2 = 145[/tex]
Take square root of both sides
[tex]b = \sqrt{145[/tex]
[tex]b = 12.0[/tex] --- approximated
