In triangle abc, the length of side ab is 13 inches and the length of side bc is 20 inches. which of the following could be the length of side ac?

it is contrapositive

i could not see the question too well so check yourself again too . this is because i want you to get it correct.

geometry: triangles

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call the larger triangle abc

then the smaller triangle cde is similar to abc (all angles are equal, aaa).  

ab is the side that is 36, and we wish to find de, the side corresponding to ab

area_cde = area_abc - area_cde --> area_abc / area_cde = 2

let x=length of de

ratio of areas = (ratio of sides)^2

+2+=+%2836%2fx%29%5e2+

+2+=+1296%2fx%5e2+

++x%5e2+=+1296%2f2+=+648+

25.45584