The base of an isosceles triangle is 16 cm and the lateral side is 17 cm. Calculate the height drawn to the base.

Since, by condition, the triangle is isosceles, then its height coincides with the median of the triangle, and therefore AH = CH = AC / 2 = 16/2 = 8 cm.

Consider a right-angled triangle ABH and, by the Pythagorean theorem, define a leg BH.

BH ^ 2 = AB ^ 2 – AH ^ 2 = 17 ^ 2 – 8 ^ 2 = 289 – 64 = 225.

BH = 15 cm.

Answer: The height of the triangle is 15 cm.