In △ ABC, ab = AC, ad is the midline on the side of BC, if AB = 17, BC = 16, then ad =?

In △ ABC, ab = AC, ad is the midline on the side of BC, if AB = 17, BC = 16, then ad =?

∵ AB = AC, ad is the middle line
∴AD⊥BC
∵AB=17,BC=16
∴BD=8
In RT △ abd, according to Pythagorean theorem
AD²=17²-8²
∴AD=15