geometry

[jen1990]

The altitude to the base of an isosceles triangle ________ longer than a leg of the triangle.

a) must be
b) may be
c) cannot be

 

[jacket81]

problem

Draw a figure and tell me what you think.

 

[jacket81]

problem

Another way you might want to look at is through a formula.
It makes a right triangle , right?
SO, with A being altittude, S being half the base, and L being the leg, then
A^2+S^2 = L^2.
Is there any way that A could be greater then L?

 

[jen1990]

i think it's cannot be.

 

[jacket81]

problem

Your right! It cannot be!

 

[jacket81]

problem

I'm assuming the legs are the other sides, not including the base.

 

[pka]

If P is point not on line l, then if the line segment PF, F on l then the length of PF is the shortest distance from P to l.
In both of your questions, an length of an altitude is the shortest distance from a vertex to the opposite side.