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Source: Official Guide for the GMAT 13th Ed. Data Sufficiency; #128 Official Guide for the GMAT 2015 14th Ed. Data Sufficiency; #128

1

The hypotenuse of a right triangle is

The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 10cm. What is the perimeter, in centimeters, of the triangle?

2 Explanations

1

Varun S Nair

Can you explain how the 1st statement can be solved to obtain b & h?

Sep 16, 2019 • Comment

Adam

Hey Varun,

Since this is a data sufficiency question, we shouldn't worry about solving. The bottom line is that we have two equations and two unknowns, which is always solvable:

b² + h² = 10²
0.5bh = 25

In any case, we want b + h. If you square b + h, you get:

b² + 2bh + h²

And we know these values:

(b² + h²) + 2bh = 100 + 100 = 200

Hence:

(b + h)² = 200

b + h = √200

And the perimeter, then, is 10 + √200.

Sep 24, 2019 • Reply

1

Gravatar Mike McGarry, Magoosh Tutor

Jan 4, 2014 • Comment

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Official GMAT Material

Official Guide for GMAT Review 2016

Official Guide for the GMAT 13th Ed.

Official Guide for the GMAT 2015 14th Ed.

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Official Guide for the GMAT 12th Ed.

Revised GRE PDF 2nd Ed.


Section 6.3 Data Sufficiency

Section 6.3 Data Sufficiency

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