Question

A ramp is built in the shape of a right triangleThe hypotenuse of the ramp is 17 ft and the length of one leg is 8 ft. What is the length of the other leg?

A) 12ft
B)15 fr
C)14ft
D)13ft
E) 16ft

Answer 1

B

Explanation:

We can easily solve this problem by using the Pythagorean Theorem.

The Pythagorean Theorem says:

One Leg ^ 2 + Another Leg ^ 2 = Hypotenuse ^ 2

Note: This theorem holds true for right triangles

This problem is in fact of a right triangle as said. So we use the theorem to find the other leg's length.

One Leg ^ 2 + Another Leg ^ 2 = Hypotenuse ^ 2

8^2 + Another Leg ^ 2 = 17^2

64 + Another Leg ^ 2 = 289

Another Leg ^ 2 = 289 - 64

Another Leg ^ 2 = 225

The other is the square root of 225, which is 15

The correct answer is B