Question

The information given represents lengths of sides of a right triangle with c the hypotenuse. Find the correct missing length to the nearest hundredth. A calculator may be helpful.

a = 20, b = 28, c = ?

A.35.45


B.34.72


C.35.88


D.34.41

Answer 1

34.41

Explanation:

Using the Pythagorean Theorem:

a^2 + b^2 = c^2

20^2 + 28^2 = c^2

400 + 784 = c^2

1,184 = c^2

sqrt(1,184) = c

34.41 = c

Answer 2

The answer is D. To solve for the third side we use the Pythagorean Theorem. It is expressed as the squared of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the two remaining sides, c^2 = a^2 + b^2.

We are given the sides of the triangle which were 20 and 28 thus we can solve for the hypotenuse.

c^2 = 20^2 + 28^2
c = √(20^2 + 28^2)
c = 34.41