Question

In the triangle shown, XZ = 16 and YZ = 12. Find XY.

Answer 1

Use the Pythagorean theorem to solve:

a^2+b^2=c^2

144+b^2=256
b^2=114
b=10.58

The answer is 10.58 (rounded to nearest hundredth).

Answer 2

If a right- angled one, then use the Pythagorean theorem to find the length.

16^2 + 12^2 = 256+144 = 400 = 20^2