Question

One of the legs of a right triangle measures 11 cmand its hypotenuse measures 18 cm. Find themeasure of the other leg. If necessary, round tothe nearest tenth.

Answer 1

Given:

`\begin{gathered} Leg1=11cm \\ Hypothenuse=18cm \end{gathered}`

To Determine: The other leg of the right triangle

Solution

The given can be represented by the diagram below

Let L2 represent the other leg of the right triangle as shown above

Applying the Pythagoras theorem

`\begin{gathered} hypothenuse^2=L1^2+L2^2 \\ 18^2=11^2+L2^2 \end{gathered}`
`\begin{gathered} 324=121+L2^2 \\ 324-121=L2^2 \\ 203=L2^2 \\ L2=√(203) \\ L2=14.2478cm \\ L2\approx14.2cm \end{gathered}`

Hence, the other leg of the triangle is approximately 14.2cm