Final answer:
Using the Pythagorean theorem, the length of the missing side L of the right triangle with sides 16 ft and 30 ft is found to be approximately 25.4 ft.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the length of the missing side of a triangle with sides of 16 ft and 30 ft, we will assume that the triangle is right-angled since the question implies the use of the Pythagorean theorem. The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (s) is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides (D and L).
If the hypotenuse (s) is the missing side and is 30 ft, and one side (D) is 16 ft, we use the formula:
s² = D² + L²
We can solve for L (the missing side) by rearranging the formula:
L² = s² - D²
Substitute the known values:
L² = (30 ft)² - (16 ft)² = 900 ft² - 256 ft² = 644 ft²
Then take the square root of 644 ft² to find L:
L = √644 ft² ≈ 25.4 ft
Therefore, the length of the missing side L is approximately 25.4 feet.