Question

A right triangle has legs that are 16 inches and 20 inches long. What is the length of the hypotenuse? Enter your answer as a decimal in the box. Round your answer to the nearest hundredth.

Answer 1

The Pythagorean theorem states that a^2 + b^2 = c^2 (a and b are the two legs, and c is the hypotenuse). We can use this theorem to solve the problem!

We can represent a with 16 and b with 20:
(16)^2 + (20)^2 = c^2 16^2 = 256 and 20^2 = 400
256 + 400 = c^2 --------> 656 = c^2
Now we have to figure out what the square root of 656 is, (a really long and complicated process I will spare you having to figure out.) and the answer is:
c = 25.612 So the length of the hypotenuse (rounded to the nearest hundredth) is 25.612.

Answer 2

To find the hypotenuse, you have to square each leg, add them together, and you will get the hypotenuse squared.
16×16= 256
That is one leg squared.
20×20= 400
400+256= 656
We have to find the square root of 656 to find the hypotenuse.
√656≈ 25.61
The hypotenuse is 25.61 inches.