Answer:
b = 15
Explanation:
Using Pythagoras' identity on the right triangle.
The square on the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares on the other 2 sides, that is
17² = 8² + b² , that is
289 = 64 + b² ( subtract 64 from both sides )
225 = b² ( take the square root of both sides ), thus
b =
= 15