Question

The base and height of a right triangle are 20 inches and 15 inches. Find the length of the hypotenuse.

Answer 1

25 inches

Explanation:

We can use the Pythagorean theorem

a^2 + b^2 = c^2 where a and b are the legs and c is the hypotenuse

20^2 + 15^2 = c^2

400 +225 = c^2

625=c^2

Taking the square root of each side

sqrt(625) = sqrt(c^2)

25 = c

Answer 2

Using the Pythagorean theorem:

Hypotenuse = sqrt( 20^2 + 15^2)

Hypotenuse = sqrt( 400 + 225)

Hypotenuse = sqrt(625)

Hypotenuse = 25

Answer: 25 inches