Question

The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 15 cm, and the shorter leg is 9 cm. Find the length of the other leg.

2cm
cm
12 cm

Answer 1

12 cm, use the pythagorean theorem: a^2+b^2=c^2
9^2+b^2=15^2
81+b^2=225
b^2=144
b=12
12 cm

Answer 2

the other leg of the right triangle is, 12 cm

Explanation:

Using Pythagoras theorem;

`\text{Hypotenuse side}^2 = \text{Shorter side}^2 +\text{Longer side}^2`

As per the statement:

The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 15 cm, and the shorter leg is 9 cm

⇒Hypotenuse side = 15 cm and shorter leg = 9 cm

Let x be the other or longer side

Substitute these in above formula we have;

`15^2 = 9^2+ x^2`

⇒
`225 = 81 +x^2`

Subtract 81 from both sides we have;

`144 = x^2`

⇒
`x = √(144) = 12` cm

therefore, the other leg of the right triangle is, 12 cm