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A right triangle has legs of lengths x and 2x − 1 and a hypotenuse of length 2x + 1. What are the lengths of its sides?

User Della
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Final answer:

The lengths of the sides of the right triangle are x = 8/3, 2x - 1 = 13/3, and 2x + 1 = 19/3.

Step-by-step explanation:

The lengths of the sides of the right triangle are as follows:

  • Leg 1: x
  • Leg 2: 2x - 1
  • Hypotenuse: 2x + 1

To find the lengths of the legs and hypotenuse, we can use the Pythagorean theorem, which states that in a right triangle, the sum of the squares of the lengths of the legs is equal to the square of the length of the hypotenuse.

Using the Pythagorean theorem, we have:

x^2 + (2x - 1)^2 = (2x + 1)^2

Expanding, simplifying, and solving for x, we get:

x^2 + 4x^2 - 4x + 1 = 4x^2 + 4x + 1

3x^2 - 8x = 0

x(3x - 8) = 0

x = 0 or x = 8/3

Since the length of a side cannot be zero, we take x = 8/3.

Therefore, the lengths of the sides are:

  • Leg 1: x = 8/3
  • Leg 2: 2x - 1 = 2(8/3) - 1 = 16/3 - 1 = 13/3
  • Hypotenuse: 2x + 1 = 2(8/3) + 1 = 16/3 + 1 = 19/3
User Imran Sh
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