Question

Find the missing side of each triangle. Round your answers to the nearest tenth if necessary.

Answer 1

x=9km

Explanation:

Pythagorean Theorem:
`a^(2)` +
`b^(2)` =
`c^(2)`

The hypotenuse is
`c^(2)`, so the equation will be

`12^(2)` +
`b^(2)` =
`15^(2)`

Evaluating the equation gives us

144 +
`b^\\{2}` = 225

Subtract 144 from each side to have
`b^(2)` alone

`b^(2)` = 81
square root on each side to get rid of the exponent

`\sqrt{b^2` =
`√(81)\\`

`\sqrt{b^2`'s square root is b and 
`\sqrt{81`'s is 9,-9, giving us b=±9

As distance cannot be negative, x = 9km