Question

Using the Pythagorean theorem, if the hypotenuse is 17 feet long, and side a is 15 feet long. What is the missing length of side b?

Answer 1

The missing side is 8 ft long

Explanation:

According to Pythagoras theorem "It states that the area of the square whose side is the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the areas of the squares on the other two sides"

mathematically it is stated as

`c^2= a^2+b^2\\\\c=√(a^2+b^2)`

Given that

c, hypotenuse= 17 ft

a = 15 ft

b= ?

Applying the Pythagoras theorem formula by inserting our given parameters and solving for b we have

`17^2= 15^2+b^2`

Making b subject of formula we have

`b^2= 17^2-15^2\\\\b^2= 289-225\\\\b^2= 64\\\\`

Square root both sides we have

`b= √(64) \\\\b= 8`

Hence the missing side is 8 ft long