Question

The legs of a right triangle can be represented by x and (x+2). The hypotenuse is 10 centimeters. Find the length of each leg

Answer 1

6 cm and 8 cm

Explanation:

Use Pythagorean theorem:

c² = a² + b²

10² = x² + (x+2)²

100 = x² + x² + 4x + 4

0 = 2x² + 4x − 96

0 = x² + 2x − 48

0 = (x − 6) (x + 8)

x = 6 or -8

x must be positive, so x = 6. Which means x+2 = 8.