Question

The given figure shows a quadrilateral ABCD in which AD = 13 cm, DC = 12 cm, BC = 3 cm and ∠ABD = ∠BCD = 90^o. Calculate the length of AB.

Answer 1

Pythagoras theorem states that in a right-angled triangle, the square on the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares on the remaining two sides.

First, we consider the ΔBDC and applying Pythagoras theorem we get,
DB²  = DC²  + BC² 
DB²  = 12²  + 3² 
DB²  = 144  + 9 
DB²  = 153
Now, we consider the ΔABD and applying Pythagoras theorem we get,
DA²  = DB²  + BA² 
13² = 153  + BA²  
BA²  = 169 - 153 
BA = 4
The length of AB is 4 cm.