Question

What is the length of the hypotenuse of the right triangle shown?

Answer 1

c = 20

Explanation:

Using Pythagoras' identity on the right triangle

c² = 12² + 16² = 144 + 256 = 400

Take the square root of both sides

c =
`√(400)` = 20

Answer 2

c = 20

Explanation:

Use the Pythagorean theeorem:

`a^2+b^2=c^2`

a,b - leg lengths

c - hypotenuse length

We have a = 12 and b = 16. Substitute:

`c^2=12^2+16^2\\\\c^2=144+256\\\\c^2=400\to c=√(400)\\\\\boced{c=20}`

`√(400)=20\ because\ 20^2=400`