Answer:
√23
Explanation:
When you are given two side lengths of a right triangle, you use the Pythagorean theorem to find the third side: a² + b² = c², where c is the hypotenuse (the longest side).
All you have to do is plug the given information in:
Remember, 13 is the hypotenuse for this triangle.
12² + b² = 13²
Simplify:
144 + b² = 169
Subtract 144 from both sides:
b² = 169-144
b² = 23
Square root both sides:
b = √23
And that's your answer!