Question

In triangle ABC, m∠C = 90°, c = 17, and a = 8, then which of the following is the measure of side b?

Answer 1

a^2+b^2=c^2
64+b^2=289
b^2=225
b=√225
b=15

Answer 2

`b=15`

Explanation:

We have been given that in triangle ABC, m∠C = 90°, c = 17, and a = 8. We are asked to find the measure of side b.

Since the measure of angle C is 90 degree, so our given triangle is a right triangle, where side c is the hypotenuse of triangle.

We will use Pythagoras theorem to solve for side b as:

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

`17^2=8^2+b^2`

`289=64+b^2`

`64+b^2=289`

`64-64+b^2=289-64`

`b^2=225`

Now, we will take square root of both sides of our equation.

`b=\pm√(225)`

`b=\pm 15`

Since length cannot be negative, therefore, the length of side b is 15.