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Let ABC be a right-angled triangle with hypotenuse BC of length 20 cm. If AP is perpendicular on BC, then the maximum possible length of AP, in cm, is
(2019)
  • a)
    8√2
  • b)
    6√2
  • c)
    5
  • d)
    10
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Let ABC be a right-angled triangle with hypotenuse BC of length 20 cm....

In ΔABC, let AC = a and AB = b
Then by pythagoras theorem for ΔABC,
a2 + b2 = 202 = 400 ...(i)
In ΔABC and ΔPAC,
∠BAC = ∠APC (= 90°)
∠C = ∠C (common)
∴ ΔABC ~ ΔPAC (by AA)
[Ratio of corresponding sides of two similar triangles are equal]

...(ii)
For maximum value of AP, we have to maximize the product ab.
Applying AM ≥ GM inequality, we get


⇒ ab ≤ 200
Hence, the maximum value of ab = 200
From eq. (ii), it is clear that value of AP will be maximum when value of ab will be maximum
∴ maximum value of AP = 200 / 20 = 10
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Most Upvoted Answer
Let ABC be a right-angled triangle with hypotenuse BC of length 20 cm....

In ΔABC, let AC = a and AB = b
Then by pythagoras theorem for ΔABC,
a2 + b2 = 202 = 400 ...(i)
In ΔABC and ΔPAC,
∠BAC = ∠APC (= 90°)
∠C = ∠C (common)
∴ ΔABC ~ ΔPAC (by AA)
[Ratio of corresponding sides of two similar triangles are equal]

...(ii)
For maximum value of AP, we have to maximize the product ab.
Applying AM ≥ GM inequality, we get


⇒ ab ≤ 200
Hence, the maximum value of ab = 200
From eq. (ii), it is clear that value of AP will be maximum when value of ab will be maximum
∴ maximum value of AP = 200 / 20 = 10
Free Test
Community Answer
Let ABC be a right-angled triangle with hypotenuse BC of length 20 cm....
We can use the Pythagorean theorem to find the relationship between the lengths of the sides of the right-angled triangle:

AB^2 + BC^2 = AC^2

Since AC is the hypotenuse and BC is given to be 20 cm, we have:

AB^2 + 20^2 = AC^2

Simplifying, we get:

AB^2 + 400 = AC^2

Since AP is perpendicular to BC, we can consider the right-angled triangle APB. Using the Pythagorean theorem again, we have:

AP^2 + AB^2 = BP^2

Since the maximum possible length of AP is asked for, we want to maximize AP^2. To do this, we want to minimize BP^2. The smallest possible value for BP^2 is 0 (when BP = 0), so we can write:

AP^2 + AB^2 ≥ 0

AP^2 ≥ -AB^2

AP^2 ≥ -400

AP ≥ √(-400)

Since we're dealing with real numbers, the square root of a negative number is not defined. Therefore, there is no maximum possible length for AP. The answer is (2019) d) No maximum length.
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Let ABC be a right-angled triangle with hypotenuse BC of length 20 cm. If AP is perpendicular on BC, then the maximum possible length of AP, in cm, is(2019)a)8√2b)6√2c)5d)10Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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