78.7k views
4 votes
Find the lengths of the legs of a right triangle, if it is known that the sum of the lengths is 23 cm, and the area of the triangle is 60 cm².

User Lucidbrot
by
8.7k points

2 Answers

0 votes

Answer:

8 and 15

Explanation:

I know everything

User Nazgul
by
8.1k points
1 vote

Answer:

8 cm, 15 cm

Explanation:

The area of a triangle is given by the formula ...

A = (1/2)bh

where b is the base length and h is the height perpendicular to the base.

In a right triangle, it is convenient to use the leg lengths for b and h. Thus, we have two relations describing these values:

60 = (1/2)bh

23 = b + h

These equations give rise to a quadratic, which can be solved by various means. I prefer to go directly to a graphing calculator and let it show me the solution(s).

The leg lengths are 8 cm and 15 cm.

_____

The quadratic in B is ...

120 = b(23 -b) . . . . substitute for h, clear fractions

b^2 -23b +120 = 0 . . . put in standard form

(b -8)(b -15) = 0 . . . . . . factored. b = 8 or 15; h = 15 or 8.

Find the lengths of the legs of a right triangle, if it is known that the sum of the-example-1
User Max Kim
by
7.5k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories