Question

Pythagorean theorem: word problems 87U

Jayla takes a piece of plywood that is 36 inches long and uses a table saw to make a 39-inch
cut from corner to opposite corner. What was the width of the piece of plywood?

Answer 1

Answer: 15 inches

Explanation:

The pythagorean theorem is a^2 + b^2 = c^2

a is one side of the triangle

b is the other side of the triangle

c is the hypotenuse

In our case, a = 36 inches, b is unknown, and c is 39 inches.

If we use the Pythagorean theorem above (a^2 + b^2 = c^2) we get

36^2 + b^2 = 39^2

b^2 = 39^2 - 36^2

b^2 = 225

b = sqrt(225) = 15 inches