Use the image to answer the question.

A line, x, divides a right triangle from the vertex opposite the hypotenuse to the hypotenuse. The line x forms a second right angle, marked by a small square, where it meets the hypotenuse, and it divides the hypotenuse into 3 and 4.

Use the geometric mean to solve for the value of x. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.

(1 point)
x=

1 answer

To solve for the value of \( x \) using the geometric mean in the context of a right triangle divided by a line drawn from the vertex opposite the hypotenuse to the hypotenuse itself, we can use the formula:

\[ x^2 = a \cdot b \]

where \( a \) and \( b \) are the segments into which the hypotenuse is divided.

In this case:

  • One segment is 3 (let's call it \( a \))
  • The other segment is 4 (let's call it \( b \))

We can substitute these values into the equation:

\[ x^2 = 3 \cdot 4 \] \[ x^2 = 12 \]

Now, we take the square root of both sides to find \( x \):

\[ x = \sqrt{12} \] \[ x = 2\sqrt{3} \]

Calculating \( 2\sqrt{3} \):

Using the approximate value \( \sqrt{3} \approx 1.732 \):

\[ x \approx 2 \cdot 1.732 \approx 3.464 \]

Now, rounding to the nearest tenth:

\[ x \approx 3.5 \]

Thus, the value of \( x \) rounded to the nearest tenth is:

\[ \boxed{3.5} \]