Question

Find the unknown length in the right triangle.The unknown length b in the triangle is _____(Simplify your answer. Write an exact answer, using radicals as needed.)

Answer 1

The given triangle is a right triangle because one of its angles is 90 degrees. We would find b by applying the pythagorean theorem which is expressed as

hypotenuse^2 = one leg^2 + other leg^2

From the information given,

hypotenuse = 17

one leg = 7

other leg = b

Thus,

17^2 = 7^2 + b^2

289 = 49 + b^2

b^2 = 289 - 49 = 240

b = √240

b = 4√15