# Math Help - Just a quick proprtion question....

1. ## Just a quick proprtion question....

How do I solve for y?

Thanks

2. If I interpret your graph correctly, then this is just the Pythagorean theorem

$a^{2}+b^{2}=c^{2}$

Where a and b are the length and height your right triangle, and c is the hypotenuse.

So your example, is 8 units long and 1.6 units high (4.6-3)

Then
$8^{2}+1.6^{2}=c^{2}$

$64+2.56=c^{2}$

$66.56=c^{2}$

$\sqrt{66.56}=c$

$8.51843\approx c$

3. could y have been the height of the vertical line that splits the base into 5 and 3 perhaps

it is not very clear to me. i guess thinking of y as the hypotenuse makes sense. it is up to the poster to clarify

4. If that is the case, I would find the slope of the hypotenuse by dividing the y value by the x value:

slope = $\frac{1.6}{8} = .2$

Find the distance from the angle to the line
8-5=3

Multiply the slope by the distance to find the height off of the base of the triangle
3*.2=.6

Add the distance from the base of the shape to the base of the triangle (this is given in the picture as 3)

.6+3=3.6

And so the height of the line in the middle of the shape is 3.6

5. Originally Posted by angel.white
If that is the case, I would find the slope of the hypotenuse by dividing the y value by the x value:

slope = $\frac{1.6}{8} = .2$

Find the distance from the angle to the line
8-5=3

Multiply the slope by the distance to find the height off of the base of the triangle
3*.2=.6

Add the distance from the base of the shape to the base of the triangle (this is given in the picture as 3)

.6+3=3.6

And so the height of the line in the middle of the shape is 3.6
Yes!! Thank you.. this is it