Question

The altitude of an equilateral triangle of side 8 cm is ______.

Answer 1

The altitude of an equilateral triangle of side 8 cm is `underlinebb(4sqrt(3)  cm)`.

Explanation:

In an equilateral triangle of side 8 cm the altitude drops to the midpoint of the base, so half the base = 4 cm.

Using Pythagoras: 8² = h² + 4² 

⇒ h² = 64 – 16

= 48 

⇒ h = `sqrt(48)`

= `4sqrt(3)` cm