In a $30^{\circ}$-$60^{\circ}$-$90^{\circ}$ right triangle, the side opposite the $60^{\circ}$ angle has length $5\sqrt{3}$. What is the length of the **hypotenuse**?
A$10\sqrt{3}$
B$5\sqrt{3}$
C$5$
D$10$
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. $10$
In a $30$-$60$-$90$ triangle, sides opposite $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, and $90^{\circ}$ are in ratio $1 : \sqrt{3} : 2$.
Let the short leg (opposite $30^{\circ}$) be $x$. Then:
- side opposite $60^{\circ} = x\sqrt{3} = 5\sqrt{3} \Rightarrow x = 5$.
- hypotenuse $= 2x = 10$.
- Trap A ($5$) is the short leg, not the hypotenuse.
- Trap C ($5\sqrt{3}$) restates the given side.
- Trap D ($10\sqrt{3}$) doubles the wrong side.
Load-bearing relation: the hypotenuse equals **twice** the short leg in a $30$-$60$-$90$ triangle.
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