Question

Work out the length of X.
х
8 cm
15 cm

Answer 1

Explanation:

`\longmapsto \: hypotenuse(h) = x \\ \longmapsto \: perpendicular(p) = 15cm \\ \longmapsto \: base(b) = 8cm \\ using \: pythagoras \: theorem \\ \hookrightarrow {h}^(2) = {p}^(2) + {b}^(2) \\\hookrightarrow {x}^(2) = ({15cm}^(2) + ({8cm})^(2) \\ x = \sqrt{225 {cm}^(2) + 64 {cm}^(2) } \\ \hookrightarrow \: x = \sqrt{289 {cm}^(2) } \\ \hookrightarrow \: x = 17cm`

Answer 2

Using the Pythagorean theorem which states that;

a²+b²=c²

or

side (1) ²+side (2) ²=hypotenuse²

15²+8²=x²

225+64=x²

289=x²

Take the square root of both sides to get;

x=√289=17

x=17