Question

If the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 2 cm and one leg is √ 3 cm, the exact length of the other leg is _______ cm.

A. √ 3
B. 1
C. 3
D. 4

Answer 1

The exact length of the other leg is B. 1 cm.

Answer 2

The length of the other leg is 1 cm.

Explanation:

By using the pythagorean theorem

Hypotenuse² = Perpendicular² + Base²

As given

If the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 2 cm and one leg is √ 3 cm.

Let us assume that the unknown length be x.

Thus

2² = Perpendicular² + Base²

`4^(2)= (√(3))^(2) + x^(2)`

`(√(3))^(2) = 3`

4 = 3 + x²

x² = 4 -3

`x = √(1)`

x = 1 cm

Therefore the length of the other leg is 1 cm.