Help on solving this problem.

[Circlenaut]

(16x)^2+(9x)^2=17^2
The answer should be .926 but i don't know how to get to the anwser please help. In detail please like what to combine etc. Before you start ranting on me keep in mind that I'm I 8th grade and talking Algebra 1.

 

[Circlenaut]

anyone

 

[MaDHaVoK]

(16x)^2+(9x)^2=17^2

17^2 = 289
(16x)^2 = 256x^2 remeber square the 16 and the x!
(9x)^2 = 81x^2 remeber square both the 9 and the x!

256x^2 + 81x^2 = 289

337x^2 = 289

337^.5*|x| = 17 <-- took square root of both sides!

x = 17/337^.5 <-- solve for x

x = .926 or x = -.926

 

[bacillus]

nice but shouldn't this be in OT?

 

[veryape]

Wanna know the best part? You're gonna forget all this math you're learning within a couple months of leaving school, if it takes that long.

I was always great in my math classes, but unless it's used I just don't retain that useless information, and I think everyone is pretty much like myself. Am I right or am I totally off the mark here?

 

[veryape]

DP