Find the value of t.

Answer:
t =12 m
Step-by-step explanation:
We can use similar triangles and proportions to solve this problem.
Put the smaller triangle on top and the larger triangle on bottom
12 9
------ = -------
16 t
Solve by using cross products
12 t = 9*16
12 t =144
Divide by 12
12t/12 = 144/12
t = 12
[tex]\text{We have similar right triangles (Acute Angle Similarity)}[/tex][tex]\triangle BAC\sim\triangle BED\\\\\dfrac{BA}{AC}=\dfrac{BE}{ED}\\\\\text{We have}\\\\BA=12m,\ AC=9m,\ BE=16m,\ ED=t.\\\\\text{Substitute:}\\\\\dfrac{12}{9}=\dfrac{16}{t}\qquad\text{cross multiply}\\\\12t=(9)(16)\\\\12t=144\qquad\text{divide both sides by 12}\\\\\boxed{\boxed{t=12\ m}}[/tex]. Therefore the legs make proportions.