Problem about factorization

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1. Sep 7, 2015

richardz03

• Originally posted in a technical math section
It is a problem found on IB math SL book:

The two perpendicular sides of a right-angled triangle have lengths x+2 and 5x-3, the hypotenuse has length 4x+1, Find X.

In the answer section, it says X is either 2/5 or 3.

I tried a lot, -> i arrived to 10x^2 - 18x -12= 0
Later i used quadractic formula and imy result is totally different to the answers given by the book,. My process should be wrong. I would like to see someone do the complete process so i can notice my error. Please!! Currently studying for IB exam

Last edited: Sep 7, 2015
2. Sep 7, 2015

Staff: Mentor

I get the same answers.
Check your arithmetic. Your 2nd and 3rd terms are wrong.
No, we aren't going to work the problem for you -- that is against forum rules. Show the work you did to get your equation, and we'll point out where you went wrong, and steer you in the right direction.

3. Sep 7, 2015

SammyS

Staff Emeritus
It looks like you made a mistake in getting that quadratic equation.

Try your answers and the book's answers in the given length formulas.

4. Sep 7, 2015

richardz03

Didnt know that! thanks. At least you showed me the error. I will try again then

5. Sep 7, 2015

richardz03

Hmm looks like i got error in doing (4x+1)^2 and did wrong in operation. thanks everyone. No need to respond this thread anymore. It was 10x^2 -34x +12=0

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