Question

If the hypotenuse of a right triangle is 2 sqrt 3 units long and one legs is sqrt 3 units long, how long is the other leg?

a. 3
b. 2 sqrt 3
c. sqrt 3

Answer 1

Theorem of Pythagoras: a²+b²=c², where a, b is legs and c is hypotenuse.

We've got one leg known, let it be a=sqrt 3,
and the hypotenuse - c=2sqrt3


Putting these into the theorem, we get an equation: (sqrt3)²+b²=(2sqrt3)² . Solving it, we get:

3+b²=4*3
3+b²=12
b²=9

This equation has two possible roots: b=3 and b=-3. Since this is a triangle, there can't be a side with a negative value => b=3.

The answer is a. 3