Question

In a right​ triangle, the hypotenuse is twice as long as one leg. If the length of the other leg is 12 ​meters, find the exact length of the remaining leg and the hypotenuse. Then approximate these lengths to the nearest tenth of a meter.

Answer 1

Explanation:

This problem is solved using the Pythagorean theorem (a2+b2=c2). In this formula a and b are the legs of the right triangle while c is the hypotenuse.

Using the labels of our triangle we have:

o2+a2=h2

\dpi{100} h^{2}=(10ft)^{2} +(17ft)^{2}

h2=100ft2+289ft2

h=389ft2−−−−−√

→19.7ft