Chapter 8: Quadratic Equations Exercise – 8.10

Question: 1

The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 25 cm. The difference between the lengths of the other two sides of the triangle is 5 cm. Find the lengths of these sides.

Solution:

Let the length of one side of the right triangle be x cm then,

the other side be = (x + 5) cm

and given that hypotenuse = 25 cm

By using Pythagoras Theorem,

x² + (x + 5)² = 25²

x² + x² + 10x + 25 = 625

2x² + 10x + 25 - 625 = 0

2x² + 10x - 600 = 0

x² + 5x - 300 = 0

x² - 15x + 20x - 300 = 0

x(x - 15) + 20(x -15) = 0

(x - 15)(x + 20) = 0

x = 15  or x = - 20

Since, the side of triangle can never be negative

Therefore, when, x = 15

And, x + 5 = 15 + 5 = 20

Therefore, length of side of right triangle is = 15 cm and other side is = 20 cm

Question: 2

The diagonal of a rectangular field is 60 meters more than the shorter side. If the longer side is 30 meters more than the shorter side, find the sides of the field.

Solution:

Let the length of smaller side of rectangle be x metres then, the larger side be (x + 30) metres and

diagonal be = (x + 60) metres

By using Pythagoras theorem,

x² + (x + 30)² = (x + 60)²

x² + x² + 60x + 900 = x² + 120x + 3600

2x² + 60x + 900 - x² - 120x - 3600 = 0

x² - 60x - 2700 = 0

x² - 90x + 30x - 2700 = 0

x(x - 90) + 30(x - 90) = 0

(x - 90)(x + 30) = 0

x = 90   or x = -30

Since, the side of rectangle can never be negative

Therefore, x = 90

x + 30 = 90 + 30 = 120

Therefore, the length of smaller side of rectangle is = 90 metres and larger side is = 120 metres.

Question: 3

The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 3√10 cm. If the smaller leg is tripled and the longer leg doubled, new hypotenuse will be 9√5 cm. How long are the legs of the triangle?

Solution:

Let the length of smaller side of right triangle be = x cm then large side be = y cm
By using Pythagoras theorem,

x² + y² = 90  .... eqn. (1)

If the smaller side is triple and the larger side is doubled, the new hypotenuse is 9√5 cm

Therefore,

9x² + 4y² = 405  .... eqn. (2)

From equation (1) we get,

y² = 90 - x²

Now putting the value of y² in eqn. (2)

9x² + 4(90 - x²) = 405

9x² + 360 - 4X² - 405 = 0

5x² - 45 = 0

5(x² - 9) = 0

x² - 9 = 0

x² = 9

x = √9

x = ±3

Since, the side of triangle can never be negative

Therefore, when x = 3

Then, y² = 90, x² = 90 , (3)² = 90, 9 = 81

y = √81

y = ±9

Hence, the length of smaller side of right triangle is = 3 cm and larger side is = 9 cm

Question: 4

A pole has to be erected at a point on the boundary of a circular park of diameter meters in such a way that the difference of its distances from two diametrically opposite fixed gates A and B on the boundary is 7 meters. Is it possible to do so? If yes, at what distances from the two gates should the pole be erected?

Solution:

Let P be the required location on the boundary of circular park such that its distance from the gate B is x metres that is BP = x metres

Then, AP = x + 7

In right triangle ABP, by using Pythagoras theorem,

AP² + BP² = AB²

(x + 7)² + x² = 13²

x² + 14x + 49 + x² = 169

2x² +14x + 49 - 169 = 0

2x² + 14x - 120 = 0

2(x² + 7x - 60) = 0

x² + 12x - 5x - 60 = 0

x(x + 12) - 5(x + 12) = 0

(x + 12)(x - 5) = 0

x = - 12  or x = 5

Since, the side of triangle can never be negative

Therefore, P is at a distance of 5 metres from the gate B