Question

Find x in the following right triangle.

Answer 1

Answer: 15

Explanation: I used the pythagorean theorem. X is a, 8 is b, and 17 is c. The squares of a and b added together are c. So I got 15.

Answer 2

x=15

Explanation:

First, you are going to find a Pythagorean Triple. As you can see from the picture you have provided, 17 ft is the longest side. So, I squared 17 and got 289. I did this because I am using the Pythagorean Theorem (a^2+b^2=c^2). Then, I squared 8 and got 64. Then, still following the Pythagorean Theorem, I subtracted 64 from 289. I got 225. Then, I found the square root of 225. I got 15. So, x=15.