Question

if the hypotenuse of an isosceles right triangle has a length of 5 centimeters what is the length of one of the legs

Answer 1

a =b =
`(5√(5) )/(5)`

Explanation:

`a^(2) +b^(2) = 5 ^(2)`

a = b

`2a^(2) = 5 ^(2)`

`2a^(2) = 25\\`

`a^(2) = (25)/(5)`

a =
`(5)/(√(5) )`

must rationalize...

a =b =
`(5√(5) )/(5)`