Professor martinez would like to describe the amount of variation there is in his data set which of the following should he calculate?

a) mean

b) mode

c) range

d) median

(b) 240

step-by-step explanation:

first, we use the pythagorean formula using the given side lengths to find x. then we use x to find the side lengths. then we add the side lengths to find the perimeter.

pythagorean theorem formula:

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

(x - 20)^2 + (x - 40)^2 = x^2

x^2 - 40x + 400 + x^2 - 80x + 1600 = x^2

x^2 -120x + 2000 = 0

(x - 100)(x - 20) = 0

x - 100 = 0 or x - 20 = 0

x = 100 or x = 20

we see that the solution x = 20 must be discarded because it will give a negative side length and a side length of 0. the only valid solution is x = 100.

perimeter = sum of the lengths of the sides

perimeter = x + x - 20 + x - 40

perimeter = 3x - 60

replace x with 100.

perimeter = 3(100) - 60

perimeter = 300 - 60

perimeter = 240