Question

A leg of a right triangle is 16 inches. The hypotenuse is 34 inches. How long is the other leg?

Answer 1

30 inches

Explanation:

To determine one of the side lengths of a right triangle we can use the Pythagorean formula :

a² + b² = c²

→ Solution

b = 16 in

c = 34 in

a² + b² = c²

a² + 16² = 34²

a² + 256 = 1.156

a² = 1.156 - 256

a² = 900

a = √900

a = 30 in

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Answer 2

hypotenuse ( c²) = a² + b²

- assume you're given the side a, find b:

b² = c² - a²

b² = (34)² - (16) ²

b² = 1156 - 256

b² = 900

b = √ 900

b = 30

therefore, the other leg is 30 inches.