What is the measure of m

9514 1404 393

  m = 8

  n = 4√3

Step-by-step explanation:

The right triangles in this figure are all similar, so the ratios of hypotenuse to short side are the same.

  (12+4)/m = m/4

  64 = m² . . . . multiply by 4m

  8 = m . . . . . . square root

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Likewise, the ratio of long side to short side is the same.

  12/n = n/4

  48 = n² . . . . . . multiply by 4n

  4√3 = n . . . . . take the square root

Additional comment

You may have noticed that the ratios of side lengths are ...

  4 : n : m = 4 : 4√3 : 8 = 1 : √3 : 2 . . . . . side lengths of a 30°-60°-90° triangle

This means the unmarked side is 8√3.

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We supplied all of the missing lengths because we know this problem is likely to be presented in different forms, asking for values other than m.