In the isosceles △ABC m∠ACB=120° and AD is an altitude to leg BC . What is the distance from D to base AB , if CD=4cm?

If ΔACB is an isosceles triangle, then ∠A ≅ ∠B and AC ≅ CB
Since ∠C = 120° and ∠A + ∠B + ∠C = 180°, then ∠A = 30° and ∠B = 30°
Next, look at ΔADB. ∠A + ∠D + ∠B = 180°, so ∠A + 90° + 30° = 180° ⇒ ∠A = 30°
Now look at ΔADC. Since ∠A = 30° in ΔACB, and ∠A = 60° in ΔADB, then ∠A = 30° in ΔADC per angle addition postulate.
Now that we have shown that ΔADB and ΔADC are 30-60-90 triangles, we can use that formula to calculate the side lengths.
CD = 4 cm (given) so AC = 2(4 cm) = 8 cm
Since AC ≅ BC, then BC = 8 cm. Therefore, BD = 4 + 8 = 12 by segment addition postulate.
Lastly, look at ΔBHD. Since ∠B = 30° and ∠H = 90°, then ∠D = 60°. So, ΔBHD is also a 30-60-90 triangle.
BD = 12 cm, so HD = [tex]\frac{12}{2}cm[/tex] = 6 cm
Answer: 6 cm
Answer:
DH = 6 cm
Step-by-step explanation:
DC is 4 cm
Triangle DAC is a 30-60-90 Triangle
AC = 8
DA = 4 Root 3
DAH is a 30-60-90 Triangle
AH = 2 Root 3
DH = 2 Root 3 * Root 3 = 2*3= 6 cm