2013 AMC 10A Problem 15
Two sides of a triangle have lengths and The length of the altitude to the third side is the average of the lengths of the altitudes to the two given sides. How long is the third side?
Answer choices
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Solution
Let be the length of the altitude to the side of length and similarly define for the other given side.
We have that
The third altitude is the average of the other two, which makes its length
Let the third side have length Then
Thus, D is the correct answer.