Question

In a right triangle the length of a hypotenuse is c and the length of one leg is a. Find the length of the other leg b, if:

c=6, a=5

34 points to the first one who gets it correct

Answer 1

Use the Pythagorean theorem

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

a,b - legs

c - hypotenuse

We have c = 6 and a = 5. Substitute:

`5^2+b^2=6^2`

`25+b^2=36` subtract 25 from both sides

`b^2=11\to \boxed{b=√(11)}`

Answer 2

b = sqrt(11)

Explanation:

Using the Pythagorean theorem

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

and substituting what we know

5^2 + b^2= 6^2

25 + b^2 = 36

Subtract 25 from each side

25-25 + b^2 = 36-25

b^2 = 11

Take the square root of each side.

sqrt(b^2) = sqrt(11)

b = sqrt(11)

We only take the positive because length must be positive.