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Find the length of AC in the right triangle below if AB = 15 and BC = 8.

User Zozelfelfo
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Answer:

In a right triangle, let's denote the sides as follows:

- \(AB\) represents the side opposite angle \(C\).

- \(BC\) represents the side adjacent to angle \(C\).

- \(AC\) represents the hypotenuse.

Using the Pythagorean theorem, which states that in a right triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (\(AC\)) is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides:

\[AC^2 = AB^2 + BC^2\]

Given that \(AB = 15\) and \(BC = 8\), we can substitute these values into the equation:

\[AC^2 = 15^2 + 8^2\]

\[AC^2 = 225 + 64\]

\[AC^2 = 289\]

To find the length of \(AC\), we take the square root of both sides:

\[AC = \sqrt{289}\]

\[AC = 17\]

Therefore, the length of \(AC\) in the right triangle is \(17\) units.

Explanation:

User Craniumonempty
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