Question

The measure of b is ____.

Answer 1

`\Huge\boxed{b=21}`

Explanation:

Pythagorean Theorem:

`a^2+b^2=c^2`

where a and b = legs and c = hypotenuse

we are given a leg and the hypotenuse so we plug in what we have into the formula

`20^2+b^2=29^2`

now we solve for b

step 1 subtract 20^2 from each side

`b^2=29^2-20^2\\29^2=841\\2-^2=400\\841-400=441\\441=b^2`

finally we want to get rid of the exponent on the b

to do so we take the square root of each side

`√(441) =√(b^2) \\√(441) =21\\√(b^2) =b`

we're left with b = 21

Note: They Pythagorean theorem only works with right triangles