Question

A triangle has a square on its three sides as shown below. What is the value of x

Answer 1

das is part of a proof of pythagorean theorem

for a right triangle (has one interior angle as 90 degrees)

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

a and b are the lengths of the legs and c=length of hypotnuse (side oposite right angle)

we see that the lengths of the legs are 9in and 12in

a=9 and b=12 (or a=12 and b=9, doesn't matter)

we want to find c, or x in this case

so

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

`9^2+12^2=x^2`

`81+144=x^2`

`225=x^2`

`15=x`

x=15in

answer is 15 inches

Answer 2

using the pythagorean theorem

a^2+b^2 = c^2 where c is the hypotenuse

9^2 +12^2 = x^2

81 + 144 = x^2

225 = x^2

taking the square root of each side

sqrt(225) = x

15 =x

x = 15 inches