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The altitude to the hypotenuse of a right triangle divides the hypotenuse into segments of lengths 6 and 9. What is the length of the altitude?

[tex]\[
\begin{array}{l}
\text{A. } 9 \sqrt{2} \\
\text{B. } 6 \sqrt{6} \\
\text{C. } 3 \sqrt{6} \\
\text{D. } 6 \sqrt{3}
\end{array}
\][/tex]

Please select the best answer from the choices provided.


Sagot :

To determine the length of the altitude of a right triangle that divides the hypotenuse into segments of lengths 6 and 9, we use a method related to the geometric mean.

Given:
- Segment 1 (length) = 6
- Segment 2 (length) = 9

To find the length of the altitude \( h \), we use the geometric mean formula for the lengths of the segments:
[tex]\[ h = \sqrt{\text{segment1} \times \text{segment2}} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ h = \sqrt{6 \times 9} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ h = \sqrt{54} \][/tex]

Simplifying the square root:
[tex]\[ \sqrt{54} = \sqrt{9 \times 6} = \sqrt{9} \times \sqrt{6} = 3 \sqrt{6} \][/tex]

Thus, the length of the altitude, in its simplest form, is \( 3 \sqrt{6} \).

Now, we need to compare this calculated altitude with the given options:
1. \( 9 \sqrt{2} \)
2. \( 6 \sqrt{6} \)
3. \( 3 \sqrt{6} \)
4. \( 6 \sqrt{3} \)

From our calculations, we see that the altitude \( 3 \sqrt{6} \) matches one of the provided options exactly.

Therefore, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ 3 \sqrt{6} \][/tex]
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