If I have a right triangle, and the median is drawn from the right angle to the hypotenuse, does the median necessarily form a right angle with the hypotenuse?
2007-02-08 14:59:11 · 2 answers · asked by Muffins 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
No.. it may but only in a single instance when the right triangle is isosceles.
Mentally.. picture a right triangle with the Right angle at the base on the right side. Lets make the base leg 1 unit.
If we make the vertical leg 1 unit, the line from median will bisect the right triangle and create a right angle on the hypotenuse.
Now extend that vertical leg a million units.. its waaaaay up there.
can you see the bisecting line now? its practically flat against the vertical leg.. no way it is at 90 degrees.
Thinking in such extremes will often help you answer theoretical questions such as this by easily disproving them
..
2007-02-08 15:14:29 · answer #1 · answered by ca_surveyor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No because a median divides the hypotenuse in half, but the hypotenuse will not always be the perfect length to make right angles. If the two sides of the triangle are equal, then yes you will have two right angles.
2007-02-08 15:02:45 · answer #2 · answered by azteckathryn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋