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What is the value of x in simplest radical form?

What is the value of x in simplest radical form?-example-1
User CuriousPan
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1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

25

Explanation:

For these types of problems you'll need the Pythagorean theorem (woohoo..). This amazing formula looks like: a^2 + b^2 = c^2. The a and b in this formula are the legs of the triangle, the straight non-diagonal lines. The c stands for the hypotenuse which is the diagonal line.

Since you have both of the legs we can go ahead and plug that into our equation: 15^2 + 20^2 = c^2.

NOTE: It doesn't matter which leg you plug into which variable! Just make sure it's not c!

With exponents, it just means to multiply the number by itself. 15^2 is the same as 15(15). So, simplifying the equation, we get: 225 + 400 = c^2.

This part is pretty straightforward. I mean, unless you don't remember addition... Adding it together, you will get 625 = c^2.

This part kinda requires a calculator if you don't know all of your square roots. Luckily, this is a perfect root and goes into 25.

And that, my friend, is your answer. Hope this helped :)

User Markus Andreas
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4.8k points