Problem

Find the length of the segment indicated.
Round your answer to the nearest tenth if necessary.
12.5
14.4
12.2

Answer

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Answer

Add the lengths of the altitudes: $9.6 + 9.6 + 8 = \boxed{27.2}$.

Steps

Step 1 :Draw the triangle and label the points of interest.

Step 2 :Notice that the triangle is isosceles with $AB = AC = 10$ and $BC = 12$.

Step 3 :Since $ABC$ is isosceles, $AD$ is a median and an altitude.

Step 4 :Calculate $BD = DC = \frac{1}{2} \cdot BC = 6$.

Step 5 :Recognize the $3:4:5$ Pythagorean triple and find $AD = 8$.

Step 6 :Calculate the area of $ABC$ using $\frac{1}{2} \cdot AD \cdot BC = \frac{1}{2} \cdot 8 \cdot 12 = 48$.

Step 7 :Find $BE$ using the area: $\frac{1}{2} \cdot AC \cdot BE = 48$, so $BE = 9.6$.

Step 8 :By symmetry, $CF = 9.6$.

Step 9 :Add the lengths of the altitudes: $9.6 + 9.6 + 8 = \boxed{27.2}$.

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